PETALING JAYA, Oct. 23 -- A 14-year-old was yesterday charged with murdering an older student in a Bandar Utama school here, raising questions about the legal protections and implications for a minor to be accused of such a grave crime.

While the charge made headlines nationwide, the teenager is not the first minor in Malaysia to land in the dock for a killing of another.

Here's a quick look at how the law works.

1. Yes, there are restrictions on an order of imprisonment

Section 2 of the Child Act 2001 defines a "child" as a person below 18 years old; and in criminal proceedings, someone who has attained the age of criminal responsibility (age 10 above) under the Penal Code.

Under Section 96(1)(a), people under age 14 cannot be sente...