SHAH ALAM: The younger brother to the late Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, the six-year old autistic boy who was murdered last year, is still under the temporary care of the Selangor Welfare Department.
Its director, Azmir Kassim, said the boy will continue to be placed under the care of the department for the period decided by the court until a suitable and eligible guardian is identified.
"We are still considering several 'options' on who is eligible and suitable to take care of the boy.
"This also depends on the development of the court case involving the child's parents," he said in a report published by Bernama yesterday.
When asked if the child's parents are allowed to visit, Azmir said that they have conditional access to do so.
Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri last month had said that the department was still scrutinising a list of people to take care of Zayn Rayyan's younger brother.
She added that after vetting the list of family members, a guardian for the child will be recommended to the court on Aug 9, when the boy's placement with the department ends.
Nancy also said that the ministry would leave it to the court to decide the next course of action, whether to entrust the child to suitable persons or to continue to place the boy under the department's care.
Last month, the magistrate's court in Shah Alam allowed an application to place the boy under the custody of the department, under Section 25(2) of the Child Act 2001.
Zayn Rayyan's parents, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, both 29, on June 13 pleaded not guilty to neglect of their six-year-old son, which may have caused him physical injury last year.
They were accused of committing 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.
It was reported that Zayn Rayyan was found dead at a stream near an apartment in Damansara Damai at 10pm on Dec 6, 2023.
His body was found about 200 metres from his home by members of the public who participated in the search operation.
The victim was confirmed to be have been killed based on the autopsy conducted, which found injuries to his neck and body.