Malaysian Teen Acquitted of Schoolgirl’s Murder on Insanity Grounds
Judge orders psychiatric detention and treatment after finding the teenager mentally unsound when the fatal attack occurred.
- Teen acquitted on insanity grounds
- Victim was 16 years old
- Court orders psychiatric treatment
A Malaysian teenage boy has been acquitted of murdering his 16-year-old schoolmate after a judge ruled that he was mentally unsound at the time of the fatal attack.
The boy, who was 14 when the incident occurred and cannot be named under Malaysian law because he remains a minor, fatally stabbed Yap Shing Xuen multiple times in a toilet at their secondary school on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
The high-profile killing shocked Malaysia and triggered widespread discussion about children’s mental health and the potential influence of social media.
Police had previously said they were investigating whether social media played a role in the incident. The case also contributed to a broader debate over children’s access to social media, with Malaysian authorities introducing restrictions earlier this year.
The teenager had pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. During the trial, however, his defence team did not dispute that he had killed Yap. Instead, they argued that he had suffered from serious mental-health problems for several years and should therefore be acquitted on the grounds of insanity.
A psychiatrist who testified as an expert witness said the boy had schizophrenia and had experienced mental illness and delusions from the age of nine.
According to the defence, his condition deteriorated during the Covid-19 pandemic and worsened further after he returned to school. His lawyers also said he would require medication for the rest of his life to manage his condition.
On Monday, the judge ordered the teenager’s acquittal after accepting the insanity defence.
