Latest news with #ZaynRayyan
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Whatsapp message referred to myself, not son, says Zayn Rayyan's mother
PETALING JAYA: Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin's mother told the Sessions Court today that a WhatsApp message saying "lantaklah nak hidup ke nak mati" ("don't care whether to live or die") was directed at herself and not her six-year-old son. Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, said the message was sent to her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, in a moment of panic and emotional distress while searching for their missing child at Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai, on Dec 5, 2023. "The content of hashtag eight (referring to the WhatsApp conversation) was not aimed at my son. On that day, I was anxious, frantic and distraught while searching for my missing child and desperately needed my husband's attention. "I sent those words, urging him to come home quickly and help me. It was about me," she said in response to a supplementary question by her counsel, Haresh Mahadevan, on the fourth day of the defence trial in the child neglect case involving the deceased. On April 7, prosecution witness ASP Mohd Zaidi Abu Hassan, a cybercrime analyst with the Royal Malaysia Police Forensic Lab, testified that several WhatsApp messages were retrieved from the mobile phones of two individuals linked to Zayn Rayyan. Mohd Zaidi testified that an iPhone registered under Ismanira Abdul Manaf and a Huawei phone linked to a Google account in Zaim Ikhwan Zahari's name were seized during the investigation into the death of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin. He said a WhatsApp message containing the phrase "lantaklah nak hidup ke nak mati" was found and timestamped around noon on Dec 5, 2023. Meanwhile, Ismanira's close friend, Umi Syafiqah Rohizal, 30, testified that she had never seen the accused leave her two children, Zayn Rayyan and his younger brother, unsupervised at the playground or around their apartment complex. The fourth defence witness said she had often seen Ismanira holding the boys' hands while walking from Block R to the motorcycle parking area between Blocks R and S. Umi Syafiqah, who lived at the apartment from 2019 to 2024, added that she had never witnessed the couple harming, abusing, or neglecting their children. Umi, who has known Ismanira since primary school, described her as gentle and loving. "I have been close friends with her since Standard Three, over 21 years. After primary school, I continued my studies in Perak before returning to live in Damansara Damai," said Umi. She added that they reconnected via social media in 2018, and Ismanira had also served as a bridesmaid at her wedding. On Monday, Judge Syahliza Warnoh ordered Ismanira, 30, to enter her defence after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against her, while acquitting and discharging her husband. The couple was accused of neglecting their autistic son, Zayn Rayyan, in a manner likely to cause physical injury between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55 pm on Dec 6, 2023, in the vicinity of Block R, Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai, extending to a nearby river. They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
'Live or die' message was about me, says Zayn Rayyan's mother
PETALING JAYA: Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin's mother has told the Sessions Court that a WhatsApp message saying " lantaklah nak hidup ke nak mati " (live or die, it doesn't matter) was directed at herself and not her six-year-old son. Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, said the message was sent to her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, in a moment of panic and emotional distress while searching for their missing child at Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai, on Dec 5, 2023. "The content of hashtag eight (referring to the WhatsApp conversation) was not aimed at my son. On that day, I was anxious, frantic and distraught while searching for my missing child and desperately needed my husband's attention. "I sent those words, urging him to come home quickly and help me. It was about me," she said in response to a supplementary question by her counsel, Haresh Mahadevan, on the fourth day of the defence trial in the child neglect case involving the deceased. On April 7, prosecution witness ASP Mohd Zaidi Abu Hassan, a cybercrime analyst with the Police forensic lab, testified that several WhatsApp messages were retrieved from the mobile phones of two individuals linked to Zayn Rayyan. Mohd Zaidi testified that an iPhone registered under Ismanira Abdul Manaf and a Huawei phone linked to a Google account in Zaim Ikhwan Zahari's name were seized during the investigation. He said a WhatsApp message containing the phrase " lantaklah nak hidup ke nak mati " was found and timestamped around noon on Dec 5, 2023. Meanwhile, Ismanira's close friend, Umi Syafiqah Rohizal, 30, testified that she had never seen the accused leave her two children, Zayn Rayyan and his younger brother, unsupervised at the playground or around their apartment complex. The fourth defence witness said she had often seen Ismanira holding the boys' hands while walking from Block R to the motorcycle parking area between Blocks R and S. Umi Syafiqah, who lived at the apartment from 2019 to 2024, added that she had never witnessed the couple harming, abusing, or neglecting their children. Umi, who has known Ismanira since primary school, described her as gentle and loving. "I have been close friends with her since Standard Three, over 21 years. After primary school, I continued my studies in Perak before returning to live in Damansara Damai," said Umi. She added that they reconnected via social media in 2018, and Ismanira was a bridesmaid at her wedding. On Monday, Judge Syahliza Warnoh ordered Ismanira, 30, to enter her defence after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against her, while acquitting and discharging her husband. The couple was accused of neglecting their autistic son, Zayn Rayyan, in a manner likely to cause physical injury between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55 pm on Dec 6, 2023, in the vicinity of Block R, Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai, extending to a nearby river. They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction. The trial resumes on Aug 4. – Bernama
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Malay Mail
‘It was about me': Zayn Rayyan's mum says ‘lantaklah nak hidup ke nak mati' message was misunderstood
PETALING JAYA, July 24 — Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin's mother told the Sessions Court today that a WhatsApp message saying 'lantaklah nak hidup ke nak mati' ('don't care whether to live or die') was directed at herself and not her six-year-old son. Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, said the message was sent to her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, in a moment of panic and emotional distress while searching for their missing child at Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai, on Dec 5, 2023. 'The content of hashtag eight (referring to the WhatsApp conversation) was not aimed at my son. On that day, I was anxious, frantic and distraught while searching for my missing child and desperately needed my husband's attention. 'I sent those words, urging him to come home quickly and help me. It was about me,' she said in response to a supplementary question by her counsel, Haresh Mahadevan, on the fourth day of the defence trial in the child neglect case involving the deceased. On April 7, prosecution witness ASP Mohd Zaidi Abu Hassan, a cybercrime analyst with the Royal Malaysia Police Forensic Lab, testified that several WhatsApp messages were retrieved from the mobile phones of two individuals linked to Zayn Rayyan. Mohd Zaidi testified that an iPhone registered under Ismanira Abdul Manaf and a Huawei phone linked to a Google account in Zaim Ikhwan Zahari's name were seized during the investigation into the death of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin. He said a WhatsApp message containing the phrase 'lantaklah nak hidup ke nak mati' was found and timestamped around noon on Dec 5, 2023. Meanwhile, Ismanira's close friend, Umi Syafiqah Rohizal, 30, testified that she had never seen the accused leave her two children, Zayn Rayyan and his younger brother, unsupervised at the playground or around their apartment complex. The fourth defence witness said she had often seen Ismanira holding the boys' hands while walking from Block R to the motorcycle parking area between Blocks R and S. Umi Syafiqah, who lived at the apartment from 2019 to 2024, added that she had never witnessed the couple harming, abusing, or neglecting their children. Umi, who has known Ismanira since primary school, described her as gentle and loving. 'I have been close friends with her since Standard Three, over 21 years. After primary school, I continued my studies in Perak before returning to live in Damansara Damai,' said Umi. She added that they reconnected via social media in 2018, and Ismanira had also served as a bridesmaid at her wedding. On Monday, Judge Syahliza Warnoh ordered Ismanira, 30, to enter her defence after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against her, while acquitting and discharging her husband. The couple was accused of neglecting their autistic son, Zayn Rayyan, in a manner likely to cause physical injury between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55 pm on Dec 6, 2023, in the vicinity of Block R, Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai, extending to a nearby river. They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction. The trial resumes on Aug 4. — Bernama
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Malay Mail
‘They loved him': Grandfather denies parents neglected or killed autistic grandson Zayn Rayyan
PETALING JAYA, July 24 — The grandfather of the late Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin told the Sessions Court here yesterday that his son and daughter-in-law would never have neglected or harmed the six-year-old, describing them as devoted parents. Zahari Mohd Reba, 57, testified during the defence proceedings of Ismanira Abdul Manaf, saying both she and her husband, Zaim Ikhwan, loved their autistic son dearly. 'Zayn was my beloved grandson. If either of his parents were not working, I would make sure they came over to spend time with him. 'He was very close to his parents. I believe my son (Zaim Ikhwan) and daughter-in-law (Ismanira) were not involved in his death,' Zahari said during examination-in-chief by defence lawyer Haresh Mahadevan. The second defence witness added that he was heartbroken by the loss of his eldest grandchild and deeply loved Zayn. When questioned by Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Zahari confirmed that Zayn, who was autistic, required constant care and shared a close bond with both parents. He also agreed with the prosecution's suggestion that Ismanira and Zaim treated Zayn and his younger sibling equally. On Monday, Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and ordered Ismanira to enter her defence. Her husband Zaim Ikhwan, 30, was discharged and acquitted of the same charge. The couple had been accused of neglecting Zayn in a manner likely to cause physical harm between noon on December 5 and 9.55pm on December 6, 2023, in the vicinity of Block R of Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai and a nearby river. They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. If convicted, the offence carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' jail, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both. The trial continues today. — Bernama
The Star
7 days ago
- The Star
I did not search nearby garden where his body was found, says Zayn Rayyan's mother
PETALING JAYA: The mother of the Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin admitted in the Sessions Court here today that she did not search the garden area near her apartment in Block R, Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai, when her son with autism, went missing on Dec 5, 2023. Instead, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, said she searched around the apartment complex and nearby premises. "I searched every floor in Block R, then continued to Block S and Block A. All the apartment blocks have four levels. I searched alone at first while staying in contact with my husband (Zaim Ikhwan Zahari), who was then on his way home from work. "He told me he was almost at Idaman Apartment and asked me to wait in front of Block E. When he arrived, we continued the search together,' she said during cross-examination by deputy public prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin on the third day of her defence trial. Ismanira said she and her husband also looked for Zayn Rayyan at several places within a 500-metre radius from their home, including a petrol station, fast food outlets, her workplace, his school, Indah Apartment, Harmoni Apartment and Prima Damansara. Ismanira agreed with the prosecution's suggestion that all the locations she searched were farther away than the garden next to Block R. The first defence witness, however, disagreed with the prosecution's suggestion that she had encountered several people while searching the apartment blocks. "Perhaps a few, but not many. It was during working hours, so the area was quiet except for the shop section. I only met people when I stopped at Block A, where there were stalls. My husband and I left our contact numbers at each shop we visited,' she said. When questioned by defence counsel Haresh Mahadevan about her decision to search areas 500 metres away instead of the nearby garden, Ismanira said, "I know my son. He is on the autism spectrum, and he only goes to places he is familiar with. "I never brought Zayn to the garden or to the location where his body was found. Unless something unusual had happened or someone took him there, he wouldn't have gone there on his own,' she said. On Monday, Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and ordered Ismanira to enter her defence. Her husband, Zaim Ikhwan, 30, was discharged and acquitted of the same charge. The couple had been accused of neglecting Zayn Rayyan in a manner likely to cause him physical harm between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023, in the vicinity of Block R of Idaman Apartment and the nearby river. They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. If convicted, the offence carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both. The trial continues this afternoon. - Bernama
