KUALA LUMPUR – Lawyer Mahmud Abdul Jumaat confirmed that he is no longer representing Ismanira Abdul Manaf, the mother of murdered 6-year-old autistic boy Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin.
Speaking to Scoop, he said that he is not the right fit for this case.
“I pray that justice will be with us all,” he said briefly.
On June 4, Mahmud of Emir Mahmud & Co was reported to have announced that he was no longer representing the couple.
He said that the decision was made due to “unavoidable circumstances”.
Three days later, Ismanira’s family issued a statement explaining that they had agreed to appoint Mahmud to represent Ismanira’s husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, from the beginning.
Previously, Ismanira was represented by Mahmud, while Zaim Ikhwan was represented by lawyer Fahmi Abd Moin.
Ismanira and Zaim were charged with child neglect under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children Act 2001 in the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court on June 13.
The duo were charged together for neglecting Zayn Rayyan, a child they have custody of, to the point that it may have caused him injury.
They were accused of committing the offence on December 5 last year at around 12pm until December 6 at around 9.55pm. It was allegedly committed at Jalan PJU 10/1, Damansara Damai.
The charges were brought under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the same act, which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.
On December 6 last year, the 6-year-old’s body was found at a stream near Idaman Apartments, Damansara Damai.
A post-mortem indicated that the child was killed, based on injuries found on his neck and body. – July 26, 2024