THE Petaling Jaya Sessions Court has found the mother of late six-year-old boy Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin guilty of child neglect and sentenced her to five years in prison.
Judge Syahliza Warnoh imposed the sentence after hearing submissions from the prosecution and defence and ordered Ismanira to serve time starting today.
The judge rejected Ismanira’s application for a stay of execution of the sentence, ruling that there was no special circumstance to warrant it.
Ismanira was also ordered to sign a two-year good behaviour bond with one surety and a security deposit of RM3,000.
She was also ordered to undergo 120 hours of community service, which must be completed within six months of her release from prison.
The charge of child neglect under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 carries a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of RM50,000 or both upon conviction.
Earlier, the judge ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt against 30-year-old Ismanira Abdul Manaf.
The court found that Ismanira had committed neglect by allowing Zayn to have walked behind her without supervision, which led to his disappearance.
Ismanira and her husband Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 30, were charged last year with neglecting their son in a manner likely to cause him physical harm.
The alleged offence took place at PJU Damansara Damai between noon on Dec 5, 2023 when Zayn, who was autistic and required close care, was reported missing. His body was found in a stream near his home the next day.
Zaim was acquitted in July after the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
Deputy public prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin and Nur Sabrina Zubairi prosecuted while Ismanira was represented by lawyers M. Haresh, H. Lavanesh and Ramzani Idris. – Oct 31, 2025
