High Court grants Zayn Rayyan’s dad unconditional custody of younger son

 Justice Suriyati Hasimah Hashim also set aside 14 conditions and a bond imposed by the magistrates’ court last year.

Zaim Ikhwan Zahari at the High Court in Shah Alam today. (Bernama pic)

SHAH ALAM:

The High Court here today granted unconditional custody of the younger sibling of the late Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin to his biological father.

Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 31, was seen holding back tears as Justice Suriyati Hasimah Hashim also allowed his appeal to set aside 14 conditions and the bond imposed by the magistrates’ court here on Nov 21 last year.

In her ruling, Suriyati said the court allowed the appeal, filed on Nov 26 last year, after reviewing all documents as well as written and oral submissions from both parties.

“The order issued by the magistrates’ court on Nov 21, 2025 is set aside. The RM2,000 bond and the additional conditions imposed for a period of three years are also set aside,” she said.

She said the respondent may file an appeal if dissatisfied with the decision, and the court would provide written grounds of judgment for that purpose.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Aida Mat Rifin appeared for the prosecution as the respondent, while Zaim was represented by lawyer Lavanesh Haresh Mahadevan.

On Nov 21 last year, the magistrates’ court ordered that the seven-year-old child be returned to his father’s care after 18 months in the custody of his grand-aunt and the social welfare department (JKM).

The court also imposed 14 strict conditions, including that the child – who, like his brother, has autism – must not be left unsupervised and must receive the appropriate education and therapy.

The father was also required to ensure that the child’s educational and therapy needs were met. The family was ordered to reside at the address stated in the court order, with any relocation to be reported to JKM.

Lavanesh welcomed today’s decision and expressed hope that the appeal against the prison sentence imposed on Zaim’s wife, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, would also succeed, allowing the family to be reunited.

Ismanira was sentenced to five years in prison by the Petaling Jaya sessions court on Oct 31 last year after being found guilty of neglecting Zayn, which resulted in physical harm.

Judge Syahliza Warnoh ruled that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt.

The court also ordered Ismanira to serve the sentence immediately, along with a two-year good behaviour bond with one surety and RM3,000 deposit.

Zayn was reported missing in Damansara Damai on Dec 5, 2023. He was found dead the next day.

He is believed to have been strangled. The autopsy revealed multiple injuries, including defensive wounds. - FMT