Zayn Rayyan murder case: Section 26 Evidence Act to confirm disclosure - Police
Police explained that the use of Section 26(1) of the Evidence Act to record the confession of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin's mother, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, before the Magistrate on Wednesday is in line with the provisions of the law.
Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Bukit Aman, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said that any form of disclosure made during the investigation must be confirmed as admissible in court.
"So in the context of this investigation, of course there are statements taken. Thus we make a decision on any disclosure made by the suspect (OYDS), we want to confirm its admissibility in court later.
"For that reason we used Section 26(1) of the Evidence Act yesterday (Wednesday)," he said at a press conference at the Bukit Aman Police Headquarters, here, on Thursday.
Mohd Shuhaily explained that there was no question of the media not being informed about the matter because OYDS was still in remand custody according to Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
"Thus Section 28A (8) of the Criminal Procedure Code (the police are given the right to reject a lawyer's request to see a client) can still be used.
"We are only using all the legal provisions under our jurisdiction as best as possible to investigate and bring this case to prosecution," he said.
In the meantime, he said, throughout the six months of investigations since Zayn Rayyan was reported missing on December 5 last year, the police mobilized all assets and logistics to solve the case.
"Every detail of the smallest facts, information and evidence is considered important in solving Zayn's murder case.
"Specifically a 'task force' (special team) was formed to collect evidence until the investigation is opened according to Section 302 of the Penal Code for the offense of murder based on the clues and evidence we obtained at the scene of the incident and the autopsy," he said.
Commenting further, Mohd Shuhaily added that after discussions with the office of the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP), based on all the evidence and evidence available, the prosecution decided to file charges in accordance with Section 31 (1) of the Children's Act 2001.
The section, he said, carried a fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for 20 years or both if convicted.
Even so, he said, his side will carry out further investigations if there are any new instructions from the DPP.
