Ismanira to serve sentence immediately at Kajang Women’s Prison.
The Petaling Jaya Sessions Court descended into chaos today after Ismanira Abdul Manaf was found guilty and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for neglecting her late six-year-old son, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin, whose body was found near a stream in December 2023.
Tension escalated when Judge Syahliza Warnoh refused to defer the sentence. Overcome with anger, Zayn’s father, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, shouted, “Laknat, semua ini akan laknat (all will be cursed).” He then warned the investigating officer, “Kau jaga, botak (watch out, bald).”
In tears, Zaim tried to approach lawyers and the media, but his father intervened. Police officers quickly formed a barrier to shield reporters from Ismanira’s family as emotions boiled over.
In an attempt to restrain him, Zaim’s father sat on him, saying, “Ingat Allah, ingat mak, Zaim (Remember Allah, remember your mother).” Family members eventually calmed the 30-year-old and escorted him out of the courtroom.
Tensions rose further when Zaim’s mother criticised the officers involved, shouting, “Puaslah kau, Botak! (You must be happy, Baldy!)” before leaving.
Earlier, the court ordered Ismanira, 30, to begin her sentence immediately after finding her guilty of allowing her autistic son to walk behind her unsupervised, leading to his disappearance and death. Judge Syahliza ruled that the defence had failed to raise a reasonable doubt against the prosecution.
The court also imposed a two-year good behaviour bond and 120 hours of community service, to be completed within six months after her release. Ismanira was convicted under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries up to 20 years’ jail, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both.
During mitigation, defence counsel Haresh Mahadevan pleaded for leniency, noting that she was a first-time offender and that imprisonment would separate her from the couple’s second autistic child. He argued the sentence would cause further trauma. As he made submissions, both Ismanira, seated in the dock, and Zaim, in the gallery, were seen sobbing uncontrollably.
On 21 July, the court ordered Ismanira to enter her defence after finding a prima facie case. Her husband was acquitted and discharged of the same charge. The couple had been accused of neglecting Zayn near Block R, Idaman Apartment, Damansara Damai, and by a nearby river between 12pm on 5 December and 9.55pm on 6 December 2023.
The police have not identified those responsible for Zayn’s murder. He died from strangulation.
The prosecution team comprised Deputy Public Prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz, and Nur Sabrina Zubairi. The defence was represented by Haresh Mahadevan, Ramzani Idris, and Lavanesh Haresh.
Meanwhile, Zaim’s father has urged authorities to continue investigating transparently and fairly. Zahari Mohd Reba, 56, said that while the family accepted Friday’s (31 Oct) decision, they remained concerned that the killer had not been found.
“Everyone is aware of today’s decision. We accept it, the family accepts it. However, I want to emphasise that despite the decision being made, we still want to know the status of Zayn Rayyan’s murder case. Until now, the police investigation has failed. The murderer is still out there,” he said outside the court.
“For two years, our family has been slandered and vilified on social media and in the media. But we have remained patient. This is all God’s will,” he added. Zahari said the family continues to pray for divine justice. “May those who have slandered us face the consequences. Even if the retribution is not shown in this world, God willing, it will certainly be in the hereafter.”
He said the family is now focused on caring for Zayn’s younger brother, Zahin Mateen, and hopes the Social Welfare Department will grant them custody. “We are willing to do anything for our grandchild. Our hearts are broken hearing the decision because we have always been close to our daughter-in-law,” he said.