PETALING JAYA, Oct 31 — The Sessions Court today sentenced Ismanira Abdul Manaf to five years’ imprisonment after finding her guilty of neglecting her autistic son, the late Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin, in a manner likely to cause physical harm.

The court also rejected a request for a stay of execution and ordered the 30-year-old to begin serving her sentence immediately.

Judge Syahliza Warnoh delivered the sentence at about 11am after ruling that Ismanira had failed in her duty to supervise and protect her son, who was six years old at the time and had autism.

In addition to the custodial sentence, she was ordered to enter into a two-year good behaviour bond and complete 120 hours of community service within six months of her release.

Ismanira was convicted under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both.

Zayn was reported missing on December 5, 2023, before his body was found the following day in a stream near their home at Idaman Apartment in Damansara Damai. 

A post-mortem later found that he died from strangulation.

As court officers escorted Ismanira out of the courtroom, her family members — many visibly shaken — gathered around her. 

She had been quietly in tears throughout the proceeding.

Moments after the judge exited the chamber, Ismanira’s husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, appeared overcome with emotion and raised his voice, saying, “Semoga Allah melaknat” (May God curse them), before being consoled by relatives.

His father, Zahari Mohd Reba, gently embraced him and advised him to stay calm and “be patient”, while other family members wiped away tears and offered words of comfort.

Police personnel had by then rushed the court entrance, to keep public and family calm. 

Even as Zaim made his way out of the court, he was seen as still shouting and accusing the court for being cruel and heartless for sentencing his wife to prison. 

On June 13, 2024, Zayn’s parent — Ismanira and father Zaim Ikhwan Zahari were charged at the Sessions Court here with neglect under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 — namely neglecting the child in a manner likely to cause physical or emotional injury. 

Zaim was later acquitted when the court ruled the prosecution had not established a prima-facie case against him, while Ismanira’s trial proceeded.