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Court acquits teen of Bandar Utama schoolgirl murder charge on insanity grounds
The High Court today acquitted and discharged a 15-year-old boy of the charge of murdering a female student at a secondary school in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, last year after finding that he was of unsound mind at the time of the incident.
Judge Adlin Abdul Majid also ordered the teenager to be detained at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Perak, from today for a period to be approved by the sultan of Selangor.
The teenager’s lawyer, Kitson Foong, said the court found...
The High Court today acquitted and discharged a 15-year-old boy of the charge of murdering a female student at a secondary school in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, last year after finding that he was of unsound mind at the time of the incident.
Judge Adlin Abdul Majid also ordered the teenager to be detained at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Perak, from today for a period to be approved by the sultan of Selangor.
The teenager’s lawyer, Kitson Foong, said the court found that his client was of unsound mind at the time of the incident, resulting in a finding of legal insanity under Section 84 of the Penal Code.
“The respondent was found to be of unsound mind at the hour, date, and time of the incident in October (2025). Accordingly, the defence successfully raised Section 84 of the Penal Code. The court recorded an acquittal on the ground of insanity,” he told reporters outside the court after proceedings.
Foong said the court accepted the testimony of Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony, who confirmed that the teenager was suffering from severe and aggressive schizophrenia.
“The schizophrenia caused him to lose his sense of self. He believed he was a god. He said he heard voices and instructions from someone. The prosecution did not dispute this,” he said.
Foong said the teenager would now undergo treatment for the disorder, adding that his recovery would take time.
He said the judge had reminded the teenager to recognise that his actions had resulted in the loss of a life and to be grateful for the second chance he had been given.
During the trial, the prosecution called 11 witnesses, while the defence called two, including the teenager himself.
Not guilty plea
The teenager was accused of murdering his schoolmate in a female students’ toilet at a national secondary school in Bandar Utama between 9.20am and 9.35am on Oct 14, 2025.
He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, with up to 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed.
However, Section 97(1) of the Child Act 2001 prohibits the death penalty from being imposed on anyone under 18.
Instead, under Section 97(2), the court may order the person to be detained for a period approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the ruler, or Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
Deputy public prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz, and Ahmad Iqbal Azman appeared for the prosecution.
As the teenager is a minor, his identity and photograph cannot be disclosed. The proceedings were conducted in closed court.
On Feb 12, 2026, the teenager pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him again in Mandarin before Adlin.
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The verdict is confusing. Should not the boy be found guilty but acting from unsound mind or temporary loss of sanity? After all he was found to be fit to stand trial. He killed the girl, acquittal means he did not kill?
It would have a devasting effect on the family of the victim. This is why boys and girls should be taught in same sex schools like what the Christian missionaries introduced to our country when they colonized us. Men should take up teaching again and the right to discipline and cane should be given to the teachers again. Parents who make a fuss out of their child being disciplined should be made to the take the child out of the school and educate them elsewhere or by themselves. There was another case where the boy stabbed and killed his nagging mother and the elder brother who came in to safe and defend the mother in Melaka. Wonder what the courts are going to decide in that case since this has been decided like this! Nevertheless, we need to bring back discipline and keep them separate and ensure sports is fully encouraged again to make sure the energy is spent in a positive way.
The question of insanity should not stop at the courtroom door. The Bandar Utama schoolgirl’s killing demands a wider inquiry into how serious mental distress among young people is recognised and addressed. The court determines criminal responsibility. Psychiatrists, psychologists and education authorities must also ask whether warning signs were missed, whether help wa⁸s available, and how another tragedy might be prevented. One issue worth investigating is whether some vulnerable young people confuse the reversible deaths of game characters with the permanent consequences of real violence. This must remain a research question, rather than an assumption about this teenager or gamers generally. Any inquiry should examine mental illness, compulsive gaming, sleep deprivation, isolation and access to treatment. Parents and teachers need practical guidance on recognising distress and seeking professional help. The victim and her family must remain central. Understanding such tragedies should lead to better prevention, treatment and public protection. Our responsibility does not end with the verdict.
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