High Court affirms Zayn Rayyan's mother's conviction, jail term for child neglect

On December 6, 2023, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin, a six-year-old boy, was discovered deceased in a stream near his residence in Damansara Damai. His mother, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, had allegedly neglected her son by leaving him alone in the vicinity of Block R, Apartment Idaman. Following his death, Ismanira was charged with neglect under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.

In a recent ruling, the High Court upheld Ismanira's five-year jail sentence for neglecting her son. Judge Datuk Noor Hisham Ismail dismissed both Ismanira's appeal to clear her conviction and sentence, as well as the prosecution's appeal requesting an extended prison term. Additionally, Ismanira's appeal against a two-year good behaviour bond, RM3,000 bail, and 120 hours of community service was dismissed.

The judge found no errors in the Sessions Court's decision, ruling that the sentence imposed was neither inadequate nor manifestly excessive. Ismanira appeared calm in the courtroom while her husband and family members sat in the public gallery. She was later taken into custody by the Prisons Department.