KUALA LUMPUR – Charges related to the murder of autistic child Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin will only be proffered tomorrow, lawyer Mahmud Jumaat, who is representing the deceased boy’s mother, said.
He told Scoop that this is what the case investigating officer said after scores of media personnel gathered outside the Petaling Jaya court complex this morning in anticipation of new developments.
“So far, the investigation officer has said that prosecution will be conducted tomorrow. It seems that the information that it could be done today is wrong.
“I know it is tomorrow; it must be confirmed tomorrow,” Mahmud said.
Media personnel gathered outside the court building as early as 7.30am today amid speculation that Zayn’s parents, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, would be brought to court today.
Their remand order expires tomorrow but there were unconfirmed reports that new developments could take place today.
The parents were arrested on May 31 and were remanded for six days until June 1. Police obtained an extended remand order for six days, which ends tomorrow.
Police said their arrest was made based on new developments in the investigation into the boy’s murder, including conflicting statements from witnesses and the couple.
On June 10, police brought Ismanira back to the family’s residence at the Idaman Apartments in Damansara Damai, reportedly to conduct a re-enactment of the circumstances surrounding her son’s disappearance.
Zayn’s body was found on December 6 in a shallow stream concealed by overgrowth some 200m from the family’s residential block. – June 12, 2024