Dr Siti Ramlah Abdullah, who is with the Selayang Hospital, said this was based on a report prepared by paediatrician Dr Bernice Lim.
“Yes, the parents took steps to see a doctor to observe the boy and treat him so that there will be some improvement,” she said when cross-examined by lawyer Haresh Mahadevan.
Haresh: Is the involvement of parents also important to ensure the condition of their autistic child improves?
Siti: Yes.
Haresh: Does this include taking a child like Zayn Rayyan to see a specialist?
Siti: Yes.
Haresh: Was the boy sent to a special school that caters to his needs?
Siti: Yes.
Haresh: Do all these factors reflect that the parents were responsible?
Siti: Yes.
Haresh: Do you agree with me that there is nothing in the report prepared by Lim to indicate that Zayn Rayyan was neglected by his parents?
Siti: Yes.
The 18th prosecution witness also agreed that Lim was more qualified to testify on the mental and health status of the boy.
Deputy public prosecutor Kamarul Iman Ahmad Sapian said Lim would be called as a witness in March. Both Siti and Lim worked in the same hospital.
Siti said she had attended to Zayn Rayyan on Sept 5, 2023, when the boy was brought by his parents, Ismanira Abdul Manaf and Zaim Ikhwan Zahari.
“From our records, he has been coming to the hospital since 2022,” she said, adding that she had interviewed the parents and physically examined Zayn Rayyan on that day.
During re-examination, Siti told Kamarul that she came to court today as she was directed to testify in this trial as to what happened on Sept 5, 2023.
Siti said doctors generally did not label autistic persons as being in “stage one, two or three”.
“We do not focus on the severity of autism but work towards rehabilitation,” she added.
Ismanira and Zaim, both 30, claimed trial to a charge of child neglect on June 13 last year. The offence allegedly occurred at PJU Damansara Damai between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023.
The charge, framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, is punishable with a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.
Zayn Rayyan was reported missing on Dec 5, 2023 and his body was discovered in a stream near his home the following day. He was believed to have been murdered after an autopsy revealed injuries to his neck and body, consistent with self-defence.
The trial continues tomorrow before judge Syahliza Warnoh.