The mother of a 16-year-old Malaysian schoolgirl who was killed in a stabbing incident has shared an emotional message about her daughter following the acquittal of the 15-year-old boy accused of the killing.
The girl, Yap Shing Xuen, died after being stabbed at a school in Malaysia on Oct. 14, 2025. The boy, who was 15 at the time, was subsequently accused of the killing.
In September 2026, the boy was acquitted by a High Court judge, subject to conditions. He was ordered to be detained and receive treatment at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Perak at the pleasure of the Sultan of Selangor.
Mum recalls life with her two daughters
Yap’s mother, Aapple Wong, shared her reflections on social media on Sep. 14, describing her late daughter as sensible, disciplined and someone who had been growing into a young woman with aspirations for the future.
Wong also revealed that she had raised her two daughters as a single mother. Yap was the younger of the two children.
As Wong had to work, the sisters were cared for by their grandparents, while she would spend time with them mainly during weekends.
Those regular family moments have since become some of the memories Wong misses most.
She recalled how the family would have dinner together every weekend, describing those seemingly ordinary occasions as among the happiest moments of her life.
Mother says daughter’s death left an empty space
Wong wrote that she had never imagined those everyday experiences would eventually become memories she could no longer recreate.
She also described how her daughter’s death had affected her own life, saying that she felt as though she had lost her sense of direction.
Although she continues to eat, sleep and work, Wong said there remains an empty space in her heart that cannot be filled.
She also spoke about how frequently she thinks of her daughter and the difficulty of finding someone with whom she can share her grief.
‘Some pain don’t disappear’
Wong said people had tried to comfort her by telling her that time would eventually make things easier.
However, she said that some forms of pain do not simply disappear with the passage of time. Instead, she believes people gradually learn how to live with them.
She also reflected on Oct. 14, 2025, describing the day she received news of her daughter’s death as the darkest and most difficult day of her life.
Wong said she had spent years working and providing for her family because she wanted her daughters to have better lives.
She had expected her daughter to grow up, complete her education, find a career she enjoyed and pursue her dreams.
Instead, those hopes were suddenly taken away.
Mother remembers daughter’s achievements
Wong’s post also detailed some of her daughter’s interests and achievements.
Yap had tried activities including snorkelling, rock climbing and skydiving, with her mother describing her as a brave child.
She was also passionate about badminton and volleyball and trained hard despite sometimes suffering bruises from playing sports.
Her mother said Yap maintained her focus on her studies despite her sporting commitments.
According to Wong, her daughter developed into a disciplined and responsible young woman. She had also helped with household chores from a young age.
Daughter had dreams for her future
Wong recalled that her daughter was not demanding and had eventually found her own tutors for tuition.
The mother said that although she was not wealthy, she always tried to provide her children with happiness and a childhood in which they felt loved.
Yap had also hoped to pursue a future in accountancy and financial management.
Those plans will now remain unfulfilled, leaving Wong to hold on to the memories of the daughter she described as a brave, sensible and disciplined young woman.
The mother’s account offers a deeply personal perspective on the lasting impact of losing a child, as she continues to remember the everyday moments and future plans they once shared.