PETALING JAYA: The prosecution today handed over a chemist's report and a compact disc to the defence lawyers of the parents of the late autistic boy, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, who are facing trial on joint charges of alleged child neglect.
Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, are set to go on a 15-day trial next month where they vow to clear their name.
The trial comes after the Attorney-General's Chambers dismissed the couple's representation to have the charges dropped last month.
At today's proceedings, deputy public prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin informed Sessions Court judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh that the handover was done this morning.
"These documents will be used in the trial. That is all the documents for now.
"We will provide the lawyers with the list of witnesses and witness statements, if there are, via e-mail before the trial begins," she said.
Defence lawyer Haresh Mahadevan confirmed that he had received the chemist report as well as one compact disc.
"The trial dates that had been set earlier are fine by us," he added.
The court maintained the previously set trial dates from Feb 3 to 7; Feb 17 to 21; and March 10 to 14.
The prosecution plans to call 15 witnesses to testify.
The couple, who stood in the dock together, looked calm and composed during proceedings.
Their family members sat at the public gallery.
Raja Zaizul Faridah was assisted by deputy public prosecutors Aqharie Durranie Aziz, Kamarul Iman Ahmad Sapian and Nur Izzati Rozman.
Haresh appeared with co-lawyer Ramzani Idris.
Lawyer Nursyahirah Mohammad Jubri held a watching brief on behalf of the Bar Council.
The couple are currently out on a RM10,000 bail each.
In June last year, 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 about 9.55pm on Dec 6,2023 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.
In addition, the court can 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 2023.
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.