Malaysian court acquits teen in schoolgirl stabbing, orders psychiatric detention

September 14, 2026 at 01:58 PM2 min

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A Malaysian court on Monday acquitted a teenage boy of murdering 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen at a secondary school near Kuala Lumpur, finding he was mentally unsound at the time. The judge ordered the boy, now 16, to be detained at a psychiatric hospital for treatment until deemed fit for release. The case had shocked Malaysia and prompted new restrictions on children's social media access.

Key Facts

The boy was 14 years old when he fatally stabbed Yap Shing Xuen in a school toilet on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
A psychiatrist testified that the boy had schizophrenia and had experienced delusions since age nine.
The judge ordered the boy detained at a psychiatric hospital and subject to yearly assessments until deemed fit for release.
The trial and verdict hearings were held in a closed court, excluding the public and media.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said last year that 'almost all of these issues stem from the use of mobile phones and social media'.

Verdict and Detention Order

The judge ruled on Monday that the boy would be acquitted of murder on grounds of insanity. The boy was ordered to be detained at a psychiatric hospital for treatment. He will remain at the hospital until deemed fit to be released back to society, likely subject to yearly assessments. A defence lawyer said the boy appeared 'neutral in emotion, but he understands what is going on, [that] it's a very serious matter'.

Mental Health Evidence

Defence lawyers did not deny the boy killed the girl but argued he had suffered from poor mental health for years. An expert psychiatrist testified that the boy had schizophrenia and had experienced delusions since he was nine years old. The boy's condition worsened during the pandemic and upon his return to school. Lawyers said the boy would need medication for the rest of his life to manage symptoms.

Social Media Debate

The killing of Yap Shing Xuen shocked Malaysia and sparked debate about the effects of social media on children. Police suspected social media could have influenced the boy, who was 14 at the time. A note found on the boy at his arrest was leaked online and widely circulated, fuelling the conversation. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said last year that 'almost all of these issues stem from the use of mobile phones and social media'. Authorities have since put in place new rules to protect children and reduce exposure to harmful online content.