Deputy public prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin informed Sessions Court Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh that the decision has been communicated to the new legal representatives of Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf.
"Today was set for the decision on the representation. We have reviewed the letter filed by the previous lawyer, and the representation has been rejected," said Raja Zaizul Faridah during today's proceedings.
On June 13, Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira, both 29, pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to the charge of neglecting the six-year-old autistic child in a manner likely to cause physical harm to him in the PJU Damansara Damai area between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55 pm on Dec 6, 2023.
The charge is under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001 and punishable under Section 31 (1) of the same act read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or jail term not exceeding 20 years or both, if convicted.
Raja Zaizul Faridah said the prosecution requested Jan 10, 2025, a date agreed upon by both parties, for a mention to update all documents related to the case before the trial begins.
"Compact discs (CDs) related to the case have yet to be handed over as they are still with the forensic department. The prosecution will provide all requested CDs and other documents, if any, before the proposed mention date," he said.
Lawyer Haresh Mahadevan, representing Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira, said that apart from the CDs, a forensic report related to an autopsy, which includes samples taken from the deceased body for analysis, has yet to be handed over to the defence.
"Regarding the previously scheduled trial dates, we request the court to vacate Jan 21 to 24, 2025, as we have a hearing involving a police officer.
"We have informed the prosecution, and there are no objections. Alternative dates have also been arranged," he said.
