The court acquitted a Malaysian teenage boy of murder after finding he was mentally unsound when he fatally stabbed 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen in a school toilet. Defence experts said he had schizophrenia and had experienced delusions since about age nine, with his condition worsening during the pandemic. The judge ordered his detention and treatment in a psychiatric hospital until medical staff deem him fit for release, with likely annual reviews. The case reignited debate over social media's impact on children and preceded new restrictions for under‑16s.
Malaysian Teen Acquitted After Judge Finds He Was Mentally Unsound In Schoolgirl's Stabbing
Malaysian boy acquitted for murder of schoolgirl on grounds of insanity
A Malaysian teenage boy has been acquitted of murder after a judge concluded he was mentally unsound at the time he fatally stabbed 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen in a school toilet on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
Details Of The Case
The boy, who was 14 at the time of the attack and cannot be named under Malaysian law because he is a minor, had pleaded not guilty. Defence lawyers did not dispute that he carried out the killing but argued he had long-standing mental illness and sought an acquittal on the grounds of insanity.
Psychiatric Evidence And Verdict
A defence psychiatrist testified that the boy had schizophrenia and had experienced delusions and other symptoms of mental illness since about age nine. Counsel told the court his condition deteriorated during the Covid-19 pandemic and after he returned to school, and that he would likely require ongoing medication to manage symptoms.
On Monday the judge accepted the defence evidence and acquitted the boy on grounds of insanity. However, the court also ordered his detention and treatment in a psychiatric hospital. He is to remain there until clinical staff determine he is fit for release and is expected to undergo regular reviews, likely annually.
Aftermath And Public Reaction
The trial and verdict hearings were held in a closed court, meaning the public and media were not permitted to attend. A defence lawyer said the boy appeared 'neutral in emotion, but he understands what is going on, [that] it’s a very serious matter' when the verdict was announced.
The killing shocked Malaysia and reignited a national debate about social media's influence on young people. Attention intensified after a note found on the boy at the time of his arrest was leaked and widely shared online. Some commentators drew parallels with a storyline in the Netflix series Adolescence, which explores themes of online radicalisation.
Policy Response
Authorities and political leaders have cited cases like this when discussing protections for children online. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was quoted by local media as saying many such issues 'stem from the use of mobile phones and social media' and pledged to consider tougher measures. Since June, Malaysia has introduced a ban preventing children under 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms.
Additional reporting: Diyana Nawwar.
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