PETALING JAYA: Lawyer Fahmi Abd Moin is no longer representing the parents of late six-year-old autistic boy Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin.
Fahmi confirmed today that he had stopped representing Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, both 29, who are facing joint charges of child neglect for allegedly causing physical injury to their son.
"Yes, I stopped acting for them on Dec 4. They asked me to stop representing them, but to be honest, I'm not sure why," Fahmi told the New Straits Times.
This marks the second time the couple has changed legal representation.
When Zaim and Ismanira were first charged in June, they were initially represented by Fahmi and Mahmud Jumaat, respectively.
However, Zaim's father, Zahari Mohd Reba, later clarified that Mahmud was never officially appointed, and Zahari had personally chosen Fahmi to represent his son and daughter-in-law.
Today, the couple was represented by lawyers Haresh Mahadevan and Ramzaini Idris during proceedings before Sessions Court judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh.
Haresh and Ramzaini told reporters that they were appointed by the couple yesterday and were unaware of why Fahmi was no longer representing them.
Haresh also confirmed that the couple accepted the decision of the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC), which rejected their bid to drop the child neglect charges.
"They both want to clear their names and are looking forward to the trial," Haresh said.
The lawyers are now reviewing the case documents and have requested two compact discs and a forensic report concerning samples taken from the boy's body.
"The prosecution has yet to provide us with these, and we are awaiting them," Haresh added.
Earlier in the proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin informed the court that the prosecution would provide all relevant documents to the defence before the mention on Jan 10.
The court today heard that the A-GC had rejected the couple's representation to have their joint child neglect charges dropped.
They will now go on a 15-day trial to commence from Feb 3.
The couple is currently out on a RM10,000 bail each.
In June, they claimed trial to a joint charge of neglect which may have caused physical injury to their eldest son, 6.
They pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence committed from 12pm on Dec 5 until 9.55pm on Dec 6 last year around the area of Jalan PJU 10/1 in Damansara Damai.
The charge under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 is punishable under Section 31(1) of the same Act read with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
It carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or jail not more than 20 years or both upon conviction.
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.
Zayn Rayyan was said to have gone missing before his body was found at a stream in Damansara Damai in December last year.
His body was found about 200-metres from his home by members of the public who participated in the search operation.
He was confirmed to have been killed based on the autopsy conducted, which found injuries to his neck and body.