SHAH ALAM, Sept 14 — 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, last year.
Judge Adlin Abdul Majid then ordered the teenage boy to be placed at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Perak, beginning today, for a period to be approved by the Sultan of Selangor.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, the teenager’s lawyer Kitson Foong said the court held that his client was of unsound mind at the time of the incident.
“The respondent (the teenage boy) 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 said at a press conference after the proceedings.
He said the court’s findings established that there was medical insanity, which gave rise to a finding of legal insanity in respect of his client.
Foong informed the media that the court also accepted the testimony of Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, 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.
He said the teenager would begin receiving treatment for the disorder and noted that the recovery process would take time.
The lawyer 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 given to him.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution called 11 witnesses, while two defence witnesses, including the teenager himself, gave evidence.
The teenager was accused of murdering his schoolmate in a female student’s 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, and shall also be liable to not more than 12 strokes of the cane if not sentenced to death.
However, Section 97(1) of the Child Act 2001 stipulates that the death penalty shall not be imposed on a person under the age of 18.
In lieu thereof, the court may order the individual to be detained for a period approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri, as provided under Section 97(2) of the same Act.
Deputy public prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz and Ahmad Iqbal Azman appeared for the prosecution.
As the teenager is still a minor, his identity cannot be disclosed, and his photograph cannot be taken. The entire proceedings were conducted in closed court.
On Feb 12 last year, the teenager pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him again in Mandarin before Judge Adlin.
