Zayn’s parents seek gag order against 5 TikTok accounts.
Lawyer Mahmud Jumaat today confirmed that he is no longer representing the mother of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, who is accused of neglecting the autistic child, at the Sessions Court in Petaling Jaya on Friday.
Meanwhile, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 29, wearing a dark blue robe and brown headscarf, and her husband Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 29, dressed in black Malay traditional attire, appeared calm as they arrived in court.
On June 13, the couple pleaded not guilty to a charge of neglecting their son, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, 6, in a manner that could cause physical injury.
The charge was made under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and punishable under Section 31(1) of the same Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
The section provides for a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 20 years, or both, upon conviction.
In addition to any sentence mentioned in subsection (1), the court may order the convicted person to complete a bond with a surety for good behaviour for a period and under conditions deemed appropriate by the court, and to perform community service.
Previously, the prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Ku Hayati Ku Haron, while the two accused were represented by lawyers Fahmi Abd Moin and Mahmud Jumaat.
Meanwhile, Fahmi sought a gag order against five TikTok account owners.
He said the content posted by the TikTok users was subjudice and can be considered cyberbullying.
“There are many ‘TikTokers’ involved, but I will start by presenting five of them. We seek a gag order (barring) on them from issuing any statements regarding this case,” said Fahmi during the proceeding on Friday (July 26).
He said the defence had also lodged a police report regarding the matter.
In response, deputy public prosecutor Nurul Qistini Qamarul Abrar said her party was only informed about the issue on Friday morning.
She said that the prosecution had not had the opportunity to examine the matter and requested that it be considered in a separate proceeding.
“The defence also did not attach any affidavit regarding the issue it wants to highlight.
“I believe, at this stage, it is too premature to issue a gag order, but I leave it to the court’s discretion,” she said.
Sessions Court judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh then made an order for a gag on parties involved in the case from posting about the case.
“The court reminds the public not to make subjudicial comments or insult the court,” he said.