A Malaysian teenager has been acquitted of murder after fatally stabbing his 16-year-old female classmate inside a school bathroom in Selangor last year. The Shah Alam High Court ruled that the boy, who is now 15, was not of sound mind when the fatal attack occurred and ordered that he be confined to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.
Court Rules Teen Was Not of Sound Mind
The incident occurred on Oct. 14, 2025, at a secondary school in Selangor, near Kuala Lumpur. The victim was identified as 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen.
The court delivered its ruling on Sept. 14, 2026, determining that the accused was not mentally capable of understanding his actions at the time of the killing. Because he is a minor, authorities have not released his name.
Defense lawyers had previously argued that the teenager had experienced mental health difficulties for several years. According to testimony presented in the case, his condition became more serious during the COVID-19 pandemic and deteriorated further after he returned to school.
A medical expert testified that the teenager had schizophrenia. The court subsequently ordered that he receive treatment at a psychiatric hospital rather than face a murder conviction.
Handwritten Note Raised Questions About Possible Influences
Following the stabbing, investigators reportedly found a handwritten note in the teenager’s possession. Reports said the note contained references to several notorious school shootings in the United States as well as the Japanese manga series Death Note.
Police had previously indicated that social media could have been among the influences surrounding the incident. The case subsequently contributed to wider discussion in Malaysia about young people’s access to online platforms and potentially harmful content.
Following the killing, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for tighter regulation of social media, citing concerns about violence involving young people. Malaysia has since introduced restrictions preventing children under 16 from opening accounts on major social media platforms.
Victim’s Mother Shares Emotional Tribute
After the court’s decision, Yap Shing Xuen’s mother, Wong Lee Ping, shared an emotional message remembering her daughter.
She described the day of the killing as the darkest and most unbearable day of her life and said that, although she continues with everyday life, the loss has left a permanent emptiness.
The case has renewed attention on mental health, school safety and the potential impact of online content on young people, while the teenager will remain under psychiatric care following the court’s ruling.
