Mahkamah tolak rayuan ibu Zayn Rayyan, kekal penjara 5 tahun

On January, Ismanira Abdul Manaf submitted an appeal petition against a five-year prison sentence handed down by the Sessions Court. In Shah Alam, the High Court dismissed the appeal to reduce the sentence and the five-year imprisonment due to the neglect of an autistic child, resulting in physical harm, three years ago. Judge Noor Hisham Ismail stated there was no reason for the court to intervene in the Sessions Court's decision that sentenced Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 31.

He noted that after reviewing the appeal records, the court's facts and arguments, both oral and written, from both sides, the court found no fault with the facts or the law that would warrant the dismissal of the decision. Noor Hisham explained that a five-year prison sentence is appropriate and not excessive based on the facts of the case.

He also emphasized that Ismanira was punished for her own neglect, not for any criminal act possibly committed by a third party. The court also dismissed a counter-appeal by the prosecution seeking harsher punishment for the five-year sentence not being sufficient preventative measures. Ismanira was represented by lawyers Haresh Mahadevan, Tiara Katirina Fuad, Lavanesh Mahadevan, and Haijan Omar.

The prosecution team included Deputy Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Kamarul Iman Ahmad Sapian, and Ahmad Iqbal Azman. On January 7, Ismanira submitted an appeal against the Sessions Court's decision to sentence her to five years in prison. Her defense argued that the charges against her should be brought under Section 33, not Section 31 of the Children's Act 2001.

The prosecution argued that there were no witnesses to see Ismanira neglecting her child, and the prosecution's case relied on circumstantial evidence. The prosecution maintained the sentence but requested a harsher sentence to prevent future harm. On October 31, 2025, Sessions Court Judge Syahliza Warnoh found the defense insufficiently convincing to challenge the prosecution's case before sentencing Ismanira to five years in prison.

The court also ordered her to sign a good behavior bond for two years with a RM3,000 surety and perform 120 hours of community service within six months after serving her prison sentence. Ismanira was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children's Act 2001, coupled with Section 34 of the Penal Code, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison or a RM50,000 fine, or both if found guilty.