A 14-YEAR-OLD male student was charged in the Petaling Jaya Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday with the murder of a 16-year-old schoolgirl in a stabbing incident that took place inside a secondary school toilet in Bandar Utama.
The teenager appeared before Magistrate Amira Sariaty Zainal, where the charge was read to him in Mandarin during a closed-door session, in line with the Child Act 2001 due to his age.
He nodded to indicate he understood the charge. No plea was recorded, as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
He is accused of murdering Yap Shing Xuen, a Form Three student, between 9.20am and 9.35am on 14 October inside cubicle number two of the girls’ toilet at SMK Bandar Utama 4.
The charge was brought under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which mandates the death penalty for murder. However, given the accused is a minor, sentencing would fall under juvenile justice provisions.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Anwar Ezzad Zainal.
No bail was granted, and the case is scheduled for mention on 21 November.
Efforts by media to photograph the accused were unsuccessful, as he was brought to court via a separate route to protect his identity. He was seen wearing an orange detention uniform.
The case has prompted widespread public concern, after Yap was found dead with multiple stab wounds inside the school toilet. Police arrested a suspect shortly after and recovered two knives and a kerambit believed to be linked to the killing. - October 22, 2025
