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THE term “neglect” used in the charge against the mother of the late Zayn Rayyan does not align with the definitions set out by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Sessions Court heard today.
Dr Noor Aishah Rosli, a child psychology expert and the fifth defence witness in the trial of Ismanira Abdul Manaf, testified that the alleged conduct did not fulfil key professional criteria that define child neglect.
According to Dr Noor Aishah, neglect must involve consistent and prolonged failure in four main areas: emotional care, physical care, education, and provision of basic needs.
“Neglect cannot be determined based on a single incident or isolated act,” she told the court during the defence proceedings before Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh.
The expert was responding to the amended charge against Ismanira, which accuses her of neglecting her son in a manner that could have caused physical injury. However, Dr Noor Aishah highlighted the use of the word “could” in the charge, describing it as indicating uncertainty in terms of the impact of the alleged act.
She further pointed out that the term “neglect” was not explicitly mentioned in either the police report or the post-mortem findings relating to the six-year-old child.
The trial is scheduled to resume at 2pm today.
According to the amended charge, Ismanira—who had custody of Zayn Rayyan—is accused of neglecting the boy in a way that may have caused physical harm between 12 noon on 5 December 2023 and 9.55pm the following day. The alleged offence is said to have occurred between Block R of the Idaman Apartments in Damansara Damai and a nearby stream.
The charge falls under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine not exceeding RM50,000, or both, upon conviction. - August 4, 2025
