15/09/2026

TUESDAY | SEPT 15, 2026

3 ‘Rehabilitation essential for mentally unsound offenders’

Abang Johari hints at retirement

Ű BY THESUN TEAM

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg has hinted that the next term could be his last, saying it is time for the older generation to make way for younger leaders. According to a report by The Borneo Post , the 76-year-old Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president said leadership succession was inevitable and the party must continuously prepare younger members to take over its responsibilities. “I want to be frank, this may be my last time. We cannot go against nature, even though

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH

o Return to society must be based on clinical, risk assessments, says criminologist

Instead, under Section 97(2) of the Act, the court may order the person to be detained for a period approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri. DPPs Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz and Ahmad Iqbal Azman appeared for the prosecution. As the teenager is a minor, his identity could not be disclosed and his photograph could not be taken. The proceedings were conducted in closed court. On Feb 12, the teenager had pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him again in Mandarin before Adlin. – Bernama safety. A good system must do both.” Former Malaysian Bar president Salim Bashir said the finding of legal insanity under Section 84 of the Penal Code concerned the accused’s mental state at the time the offence was committed, which was distinct from an assessment of whether the accused was fit to stand trial. He added that the latter concerned the accused’s ability to understand the trial process and the charge, as well as to instruct his lawyers, while legal insanity under Section 84 is determined by the court after considering the evidence at trial. “If the accused is acquitted because, at the time of the offence, he was of unsound mind and unable to tell right from wrong, the law would not find the accused blameworthy for the lack of mens rea (guilty mind) in committing the offence.” However, Salim emphasised that such an acquittal did not mean the accused was automatically free. He said Section 348 of the Criminal Procedure Code provides for an accused acquitted on grounds of unsoundness of mind to be detained in a psychiatric facility for treatment, subject to the applicable legal process and the pleasure of the Ruler. The High Court in Shah Alam yesterday acquitted the 15-year-old boy of murdering his 16-year-old schoolmate in Bandar Utama last year after finding him to have been of unsound mind at the time of the incident. Judge Adlin Abdul Majid ruled that the defence had established the requirements under Section 84 of the Penal Code. The boy’s lawyer, Kitson Foong, said the court accepted the evidence of forensic psychiatrist Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony, who found that the boy was suffering from severe schizophrenia. The boy was ordered to be detained and treated at the Bahagia Psychiatric Hospital Ulu Kinta in Perak at the pleasure of the Sultan of Selangor until he is assessed as fit to return to society.

PETALING JAYA: An acquittal on grounds of unsoundness of mind does not mean a child who commits a serious offence simply walks free, said a criminologist emphasising that psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation and public safety must remain at the heart of the response. Universiti Malaya senior lecturer Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid said the focus should not be solely on punishment when a child is found to have been legally of unsound mind at the time of the offence. “This does not mean the child is simply ‘getting away with it’. It means the response must shift towards appropriate psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, supervision and public safety.” She added that any eventual return to the community should

shocking or violent.” She added that such labelling could lead to misunderstanding, inappropriate responses and the mischaracterisation of children involved in serious offences. She also said Malaysia already had a legal framework to deal with cases involving unsoundness of mind, but the case highlighted the need for stronger coordination beyond the courtroom. “We need stronger coordination between the criminal justice system, mental health services, child protection agencies and families. “The question is not whether we choose between protecting the child’s rights or protecting public

not be automatic but must be based on continuous clinical and risk assessments. She also said a proper reintegration plan should involve mental health professionals, the family and welfare authorities, with continued treatment or supervision where necessary. “Public safety and the child’s welfare must both be taken seriously.” Haezreena also cautioned against attempts to characterise the case as nihilistic violence, violent extremism or terrorism without a proper factual or legal basis. “These are distinct phenomena and should not simply be lumped together because an act is

our hearts may still feel young. “In four more years I’ll be 80. But I will make the decision when the time comes.” A b a n g Johari said older leaders should not feel disappointed

when they are replaced, emphasising that PBB’s struggle for Sarawak must continue regardless of who leads the party. “Leaders come and go. There comes a time when we say thank you and allow new people to take our place. But the spirit of PBB must be carried on by those who love Sarawak.” He was speaking at the PBB Northern Zone Special Convention at the Miri Indoor Stadium on Sunday. Abang Johari also emphasised the need to train younger leaders not only in party leadership but also in engaging with Sarawak’s diverse communities and individuals of different religions. “The successors must be trained in how to communicate with people, how to engage with different communities and how to interact with people of different religions, so that there will be no toxicity.” He added that he was grateful to have been trained by leaders before him and that the same responsibility should now be passed on to the younger generation. He also said PBB had already introduced new faces, including younger leaders, during the previous election. “Therefore, those of us who are older should give way to the younger generation.”

HARROWING HAZE ... Eleven areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings yesterday, while 55 areas recorded moderate API readings and two areas recorded good readings. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA THESUN

Teen acquitted of murder on grounds of legal insanity SHAH ALAM: A 15-year-old boy accused of murdering a female schoolmate in Bandar Utama last year was acquitted and discharged by the High Court yesterday after the court found him legally insane at the time of the incident. invoke Section 84 of the Penal Code. “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 told reporters after the proceedings. 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.” The teenager was accused of murdering his schoolmate in a female students’ toilet at a national secondary school in Bandar Utama between 9.20am and 9.35am on Oct 14, 2025. called two witnesses, including the teenager.

Judge Adlin Abdul Majid ordered the teenager to be placed at the Bahagia Psychiatric Hospital Ulu Kinta in Perak for treatment, with the period of detention to be approved by the Sultan of Selangor. The teenager’s lawyer, Kitson Foong, said the court found that his client was of unsound mind when the incident occurred in October 2025, allowing the defence to successfully

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, with up to 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed. However, Section 97(1) of the Child Act 2001 stipulates that the death penalty cannot be imposed on a person below 18.

Foong said the teenager would begin treatment for the disorder, adding that his recovery would take time. He added that 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. During the trial, the prosecution called 11 witnesses, while the defence

Foong said the court’s findings established medical insanity, which gave rise to a finding of legal insanity in respect of his client. He added that the court also accepted the testimony of Bahagia Psychiatric Hospital consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Ian Lloyd