High Court Upholds Ismanira’s Five-Year Sentence in Zayn Rayyan Neglect Case

SHAH ALAM, Sept 28 – The High Court in Shah Alam on Monday dismissed an appeal by Ismanira Abdul Manaf to overturn her conviction and five-year prison sentence for neglecting her six-year-old autistic son, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin, which resulted in physical injuries three years ago.

Judge Noor Hisham Ismail ruled that the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court made no error in fact or law when convicting the 31-year-old mother under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.

“After reviewing the appeal records, including the Sessions Court judge’s grounds of judgment and written and oral submissions of both parties, this court is satisfied in finding that the Sessions Court judge made no error of fact or law in her decision,” Judge Noor Hisham said when delivering the brief judgment.

The judge emphasized that the charge clearly established every element of neglect, defined legally as the failure or omission of a caregiver to provide the necessary attention, supervision, or care suited to a child’s age, abilities, and environmental needs.

Simultaneously, the High Court rejected a cross-appeal by the prosecution, which had sought a heavier, deterrent sentence. The judge ruled that the five-year imprisonment term was neither manifestly inadequate nor excessive, noting that Ismanira was sentenced specifically for her own neglect rather than the criminal actions of any third party.

Ismanira was originally convicted by Petaling Jaya Sessions Court Judge Dr Syaliza Warnoh on Oct 31, 2025, after the defence failed to raise reasonable doubt. On Dec 23, 2025, a separate High Court ruling denied her application for a stay of execution, sending her to serve her sentence immediately.

In addition to the five-year jail term, Ismanira is required to perform 120 hours of community service within six months following her release.

Ismanira was represented by defence counsel Haresh Mahadevan, Lavanesh Haresh, and Tiara Katirina Fuad, while Deputy Public Prosecutors Ahmad Iqbal Azman, Kamarul Iman Ahmad Sapian, and Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin appeared for the prosecution.

–NMT