Hundreds mourn tragic death of teen stabbing victim Yap Shing Xuen

Nearly 500 mourners gathered on 20 October, 2025, to bid a final farewell to 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen, who was fatally stabbed in a secondary school in Selangor on 14 October.

The emotional memorial service took place at Kuala Lumpur’s Imperial Memorial Hall at 9.30am, attended by grieving family members, teachers, classmates, and friends.

Among them were over 30 teachers and students from SMK Bandar Utama Damansara, where the tragedy occurred. Many in attendance expressed deep sorrow, struggling to comprehend the brutal loss.

“She was always smiling, always helping others. It’s so hard to believe she’s gone,” said one of Yap’s close friends, as quoted by The Star.

Mourners brought flowers, photos, and handwritten notes to honour Yap’s memory. She was widely remembered for her kindness, laughter, and passion for volleyball.

As the service concluded around 11am, 100 blue and white balloons — representing her favourite colours — were released into the sky in a symbolic tribute, according to New Straits Times.

In a moving post on Instagram, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh described Yap as a vibrant teen who led an active life and loved volleyball.

She revealed that the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS Malaysia) had placed a national volleyball jersey, bearing the Team MAS insignia, in the girl’s resting place.

"I informed her mother that I wanted Yap to have the national jersey. I believe she would have loved it," Yeoh stated.

She added, “Malaysia mourns with them. In the days to come, I will do whatever I can to fight the incel culture among the young.”

Yeoh’s remarks drew attention to the broader social issues potentially connected to the case. Incel culture — typically associated with men who express resentment towards women due to a lack of romantic relationships — has become a rising concern in youth-related violence globally.

The tragic incident occurred at around 9.30am on 14 October at SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (4) in Petaling Jaya. According to a press statement by the victim’s mother, Yap was stabbed up to 200 times by a 14-year-old male student in the girls’ lavatory.

Authorities have confirmed there was no prior relationship or known interaction between the victim and the suspect.

Police arrested the boy shortly after the incident, and he has since been remanded for seven days to assist with investigations.

A post-mortem examination has already been conducted. The pathology report is expected to be finalised within a month, according to The Star.

Following the memorial at the Imperial Memorial Hall, a smaller ceremonial procession took place at Nirvana Centre (Nirvana 2) in Seputeh, where over 200 people attended.

Around 10am, Yap’s casket was sealed after a Buddhist prayer led by a nun. Outside the hall, white chrysanthemums lined the walkway as a traditional symbol of mourning.

Her elder sister led the final 100-metre procession in solemn silence, joined by family and friends, each holding a blue balloon. These were released into the late morning sky as a quiet act of remembrance.

Political figures, including Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Minister Hannah Yeoh, had visited Yap’s wake in the preceding days to offer their condolences.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah also expressed their sympathies, sending a floral wreath to the family.

Yap Shing Xuen’s cremation took place at Nirvana Memorial Park in Shah Alam, where her remains were laid to rest.

As investigations continue, the community remains in mourning, seeking answers in the face of a senseless tragedy that has deeply shaken the nation.