A 15-year-old Malaysian boy on trial over the alleged killing of a 16-year-old schoolmate has expressed remorse in court after the prosecution completed its case.
The teenager was 14 at the time of the alleged incident, which took place at a secondary school in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, in October 2025.
The High Court has now ruled that there is a prima facie case against him, meaning the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence for the trial to proceed to the defence stage.
The teenager pleaded not guilty to the murder charge earlier this year.
Teen gives testimony outside the dock
Because the accused is a minor, he was not seated inside the dock while giving his testimony.
His lawyer, Kitson Foong, explained that the teenager instead stood beside the dock and gave his testimony unsworn.
The defence lawyer also told the court that the boy had expressed regret over what happened and the consequences that followed, including the death of his schoolmate.
The teenager is expected to provide further testimony as the defence presents its case.
The prosecution phase of the trial lasted six days, beginning on Aug. 3 and concluding on Aug. 11.
The case subsequently moved into the defence stage after the court determined that there was a case for the teenager to answer.
Defence to rely on psychiatric evidence
Mental health is expected to form a significant part of the defence’s case.
The teenager underwent a three-month psychiatric assessment before being deemed fit to stand trial.
His lawyers are expected to call a doctor from a psychiatric hospital in Perak as well as a forensic psychiatry specialist to give evidence in support of a defence based on his mental state at the time of the alleged offence.
The Magistrates’ Court had previously referred the teenager for psychiatric assessment.
The defence lawyer said a written report prepared by the doctor had already been admitted as evidence. The court is expected to hear further explanations about the report and the psychiatric concepts relevant to the case.
The defence will therefore seek to establish how the teenager’s mental state may have affected the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence.
Teenager was 14 when schoolmate died
The incident occurred on Oct. 14, 2025, at a secondary school in Bandar Utama.
The accused, then aged 14, was allegedly involved in the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old schoolmate Yap Shing Xuen.
The teenager was subsequently charged with murder and underwent psychiatric evaluations to determine whether he was fit to face trial.
He was later found fit to stand trial and formally pleaded not guilty in February 2026.
The prosecution subsequently presented its evidence before the High Court ruled that the case should proceed to the defence stage.
Death penalty cannot be imposed on child offender
Under Malaysian law, a conviction for murder can carry severe punishment, including the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, together with whipping in applicable circumstances.
However, the death penalty cannot be imposed on a person who was a child when the offence was committed.
This distinction is significant in the current case because the accused was 14 when the alleged offence occurred, despite being 15 during the present trial.
The court will now hear the defence evidence, including testimony relating to the teenager’s mental state.
The case remains ongoing, and the allegations against the teenager have not been proven unless and until the court reaches a final verdict.