PETALING JAYA: Lawyers representing the parents of the murdered autistic child, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, requested the Sessions Court here today to amend the name of the child in the charge sheet.
Lawyer Fahmi Abd Moin, representing the parents, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 29, and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 29, informed Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh that the child's name was changed from Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin to Zayn Rayyan bin Zaim Ikhwan.
"Referring to the charge submitted by the deputy public prosecutor on the previous date (June 13), the child's name recorded was Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin.
"However, we have received documents from the Selangor National Registration Department (NRD) through Ismanira correcting the information in Zayn Rayyan's birth register.
"On July 4, the correction of Zayn Rayyan's name was made, changing it to Zayn Rayyan bin Zaim Ikhwan. I would like to record our request to amend Zayn Rayyan's name in the charge sheet," he said.
Fahmi also submitted a copy of the new birth certificate to the court during today's first mention proceedings.
Upon hearing the request, deputy public prosecutor Nurul Qistini Qamarul Abrar confirmed that the prosecution had just received the new birth certificate this morning.
"Since this document was only submitted this morning, the prosecution requests to inform the parties if there are any amendments to the charge at a future date," she said.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, Syahliza directed the prosecution to first confirm with the NRD, and the matter will be reviewed at the next mention of the case.
Meanwhile, during today's mention, the court was informed that lawyer Mahmud Abdul Jumaat no longer represents Ismanira, with Fahmi taking over.
Fahmi said Ismanira had sent a letter terminating the legal services representing her.
"I understand that Ismanira sent a termination letter to Emir Mahmud and Co on June 18," he said.
Lawyer Hadzwan Ayob from Emir Mahmud and Co also confirmed this.
During today's proceedings, both accused appeared calm, along with their respective family members.
Also present were observing lawyers from the Malaysian Bar Council, Vivek Sukumaran and Jason Wee.
On June 13, the couple were jointly charged at the Sessions Court with neglect of the 6-year-old son, which may have caused him physical injury last year.
They both pleaded not guilty before Judge Syahliza.
They committed the offence from 12pm on Dec 5 until about 9.55pm on Dec 6 around the area of Jalan PJU 10/1 in Damansara Damai.
The charge was under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and is punishable under Section 31(1) of the same Act read with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
If convicted, they face a maximum fine of RM50,000 or jail for not more than 20 years or both.
The court shall, in addition to any punishment specified in subsection (1), order the person convicted of an offence to execute a bond with sureties to be of good behaviour for such period as the court thinks fit and to perform community service.