THE Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has been urged to give the family of slain student Yap Shing Xuen a detailed explanation of the High Court’s decision to release the teenage boy accused of her death on the grounds that he was legally insane.
DAP Women's chief Teo Nie Ching said the AGC and prosecution team should hold an immediate formal briefing with the victim’s parents and their legal representatives on the decision.
She said the family should be informed of the legal distinction between a release on grounds of insanity under Section 84 of the Penal Code and an ordinary acquittal.
“AGC must explain in detail the reasons the court reached the decision based on the medical evidence, as well as the meaning of the psychiatric detention order under Section 348 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” she said in a statement today.
The prosecution should also inform the family whether it intends to file a Notice of Appeal within the statutory 14-day period from the date of the order, as well as explain the legal basis or any constraints affecting such an appeal, she said.
The Shah Alam High Court had earlier released the teenager on grounds of legal insanity in connection with the death of Yap, 16, at a secondary school in Bandar Utama.
The court also ordered the teenager to be detained at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta.
Teo said while the judicial process, psychiatric assessments and application of criminal law must be respected, the decision could leave the victim’s family grieving and confused.
She said the circumstances could also leave the family feeling that they had yet to obtain full closure over the tragedy. - September 16, 2026
