A Malaysian court acquitted a 15-year-old boy of murdering a female schoolmate in a school bathroom, citing his mental illness as the reason. However, he was ordered to undergo treatment until he is able to return to society.
On Monday, 14 Sep 2026 GMT+7, a Malaysian court ruled to acquit a 15-year-old boy of murdering his 16-year-old female schoolmate. The shocking case attracted widespread attention and sparked nationwide debates about social media's effects on children and youth.
The boy was accused of murdering Yap Shing Xuen, a 16-year-old female schoolmate, in October 2025. Her body was found in a bathroom at a secondary school in Kuala Lumpur, showing multiple fatal stab wounds from a sharp weapon.
However, despite the acquittal, the court ordered the boy to be detained and sent for psychiatric treatment until his condition improves and he is ready to rejoin society. His condition will be assessed annually.
Specialist doctors stated that the boy suffers from schizophrenia and has experienced hallucinations since age 9. His condition worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic and when he returned to school. His lawyer said the client will need lifelong medication.
The case shocked the nation, especially after a letter from the boy leaked online, prompting comparisons to the Netflix series Adolescence, which depicts a boy killing a classmate and explores the issue of harmful beliefs spread via the internet.
Police and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim view social media and mobile phones as significant factors influencing children's behavior and violence. This led to a new law enacted in June banning children under 16 from having accounts on major social media platforms.
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Source:bbc