BANDAR BAHARU: The family of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin should lodge a police report if they feel threatened following allegations of a leak in the investigation report regarding the boy's murder case on social media.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail issued the advice after a lawyer representing Zayn Rayyan's father reportedly advised his clients to seek additional police protection.
"If there is any party, in this case, the family members, for instance, who feel threatened, they should report the matter to the police.
"That is the fundamental function of the police force (to investigate)," he said at a press conference after opening the Kulim-Bandar Baharu 'Jiwa Komuniti Madani' programme in Bandar Baharu Community Sports Complex here today.
Yesterday, Zayn Rayyan's family member lodged a police report over purported investigation facts regarding the murder case that was distributed on social media.
It was reported that a whistle blower Telegram group posted what it claims is a record of statements taken by police from Zayn Rayyan's parents, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin reiterated his call for all quarters to give space to the police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to complete its investigation into the murder in a professional and objective manner.
"This case is considered a high-profile case, and it has been investigated for almost six months.
"The fact that there is a new revelation about what had transpired, and some quarters perceived that it (the finding) as shocking.
"However, the police are acting professionally in gathering information cautiously based on regulations and discipline.
"The police can't be acting based on perception and vague information," he said.
Yesterday, federal CID director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said police would collaborate with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate the dissemination of purported investigation details linked to Zayn Rayyan's murder on social media platforms.
He was reported as saying that disseminating unverified information was an extremely irresponsible act and police would ask MCMC to block such posts and messages as they could disrupt the proceedings of the current and any future trials.
Earlier yesterday, Zayn Rayyan's parents were jointly charged at the Sessions Court with neglect of their 6-year-old son which may have caused him physical injury last year.
Zaim and Ismanira, both 29, pleaded not guilty before judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh.
The charge was framed under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, and is punishable under Section 31(1) of the same, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
If convicted, they face a maximum fine of RM50,000 or jail not more than 20 years or both.
Zayn Rayyan was reported missing on Dec 5 last year. His body was found a day later, some 200m from the apartment block where the family lived.
On May 31, his parents were arrested, with police obtaining a week-long remand order the following day.
This was followed by a six-day extension to the remand order, at the end of which the parents were charged.