Zayn Rayyan sibling case: High Court grants father full custody of autistic child without conditions or bond  

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — The High Court here today ordered that custody of the younger sibling of autistic child, the late Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin, be granted to the biological father without any conditions or bond.

According to national news agency Bernama, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 31, was seen emotional and shedding tears after Judge Suriyati Hasimah Mohd Hashim allowed his appeal to set aside 14 conditions and a bond imposed by the Magistrates’ Court in Shah Alam on November 21, 2025.

In her judgment, Suriyati said the court allowed the appeal filed on November 26, 2025 after reviewing all documents as well as written and oral submissions from both parties.

“The order issued by the Magistrate on November 21, 2025 is set aside. The RM2,000 bond and additional conditions imposed by the Magistrate for a period of three years are also set aside,” she said.

She also noted that the respondent may file a formal appeal if dissatisfied with the decision, and the court would provide written grounds of judgment for that purpose.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Aida Mat Rifin represented the prosecution as respondent.

On November 21, 2025, the Magistrates’ Court had ordered the seven-year-old child to be returned to the father after 18 months under the care of a grand aunt and the Social Welfare Department (JKM).

However, the court then imposed 14 strict conditions, including ensuring the autistic child is not left unsupervised by adults and that he receives proper education and therapy.

The father was also required to ensure the child receives appropriate education and therapy, and to reside at the address stated in the court order. Any relocation must be notified to JKM.

Meanwhile, lawyer Lavanesh Haresh Mahadevan said the defence was grateful for the decision and hoped that the appeal involving Zaim Ikhwan’s wife, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, would also be allowed so the family could be reunited.

On October 31, 2025, the child’s mother was sentenced to five years’ jail by the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court after being found guilty of neglecting the autistic child, which led to physical injuries.

Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh imposed the sentence after finding that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt at the end of the defence case, ordering the sentence to take effect immediately along with a two-year good behaviour bond with a local surety and RM3,000 bail.