Malaysian woman jailed 5 years over autistic son’s death due to neglect

A Malaysian court on Friday sentenced a woman to five years’ jail for neglect leading to the death of her six-year-old autistic son, in a case that has shocked the nation and raised questions about the lack of support for families with special needs children.

The body of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin was found in a stream near his home in a suburb outside Kuala Lumpur on December 6, 2023, a day after he was reported missing by his parents.

Authorities have speculated that Zayn could have been murdered after an autopsy revealed injuries to his neck and body, which police said were signs of self-defence. Investigators are still investigating the circumstances of his death.

On Friday, Sessions Court Judge Syahliza Warnoh said Zayn’s mother, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, had failed to disprove the prosecution’s case that her negligence had led to physical injury to her son, according to a report by national newswire Bernama.

The crime carries a maximum fine of 50,000 ringgit (US$11,800), up to 20 years’ jail or both.

Ismanira, 30, was instructed to begin her sentence on Friday.

East Timor joins Asean

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