Malaysian Teenager Accused of Murdering a Schoolmate Will Stand Trial Monday, in a Case That Has İgnited National Debate Over Social

The boy, 14 at the time of the alleged crime, is charged with killing 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen, who was found fatally stabbed multiple times in a toilet at their secondary school near Kuala Lumpur last October. He has pleaded not guilty and, if convicted, faces 30 to 40 years in prison and possible flogging, though not the death penalty due to his age. Police have suggested social media may have played a role, and a note found on the boy at arrest has fueled public concern.

The case has drawn comparisons to the Netflix series 'Adolescence' and prompted Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to vow stricter measures. Since June, Malaysia has banned children under 16 from holding accounts on major social platforms. "almost all of these issues stem from the use of mobile phones and social media"