KUALA LUMPUR: The lawyer representing the parents of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin has cleared the air on the issue surrounding his representation of the victim's parents.
In a Facebook post, lawyer Mahmud Jumaat explained that while he no longer represents both of Zayn Rayyan's parents, he continues to represent Zayn's mother, Ismanira Abdul Manaf.
He added that he ceased representing both parents on June 4 for specific reasons, following a meeting with their family the previous day.
"On Sunday (June 2), Zayn's grandfather wanted to meet with me because he was not present in court during the remand. I invited them to discuss the matter at my office on Monday (June 3).
"The next day, I decided not to represent both parents any longer for certain reasons, as mentioned in my statement when contacted by the media," he said.
Mahmud also clarified that the previous statement made by Zayn's grandfather, Zahari Mohd Reba, regarding the lack of an official appointment as the family's lawyer was a misunderstanding.
On May 31, Mahmud said that he was contacted by Zayn's father's family at 11pm and informed that Zayn's parents had been detained that morning and would be taken to the Petaling Jaya Court for a remand application the following day.
He added that due to the very short notice, he didn't have time to obtain a signed official appointment letter.
"At that time, I did not think this would become an issue raised by Zayn Rayyan's family. There was no requirement for a formal appointment letter for criminal cases.
"As long as the police or the family representatives agreed to appoint the lawyer, it was sufficient.
"Moreover, before I entered the court, I had confirmed with the parents' family to entrust me with this responsibility for opposing the remand.
"There is no need to discuss further; I was indeed in court on that day. I was the only lawyer called by their family," he said.
Previously, the media had reported that members of Zayn's mother's family had agreed to appoint Mahmud from the beginning.
Mahmud has asked for everyone to stop speculating on his appointment and expressed hope that the late Zayn Rayyan would receive justice.