DESPITE a relatively low number of four recorded cases of baby dumping in Sarawak this year the issue continues to be a source of concern within the community, with some labelling it as an inhumane act.
The act of concealing the birth and abandoning a child under the age of 12 constitutes an offence under Section 317 of the Penal Code. This offence carries a penalty of up to seven years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Similarly, the act of concealing the birth through the secret disposal of a dead body is an offence under Section 318 of the Penal Code, with potential consequences of up to two years in prison or a fine, or both.
On Dec 4, Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Well-being Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah disclosed that there have been four cases of abandoned babies this year.
This shows a downward trend compared to the six cases in 2022 and 10 in 2021.
Nonetheless, the Sarawak government remains committed to intensifying efforts to achieve net zero cases of underage pregnancies and abandoned babies.
Among the four reported cases, three gained widespread attention in the digital realm, involving two alive and healthy infants and one unfortunate infant who did not survive.
Baby dumping in Moyan Square, Batu Kawa
The incident took place in Moyan Square on Aug 18 whereby, a waste collection worker stumbled upon a newborn baby girl near a dump site.
The infant was discovered inside a cardboard box around 6.50am. Following the finding, the baby girl was taken to a nearby market where two women brought the infant to Batu Kawa health clinic for treatment.
She was later taken to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) for further medical care and observation.
On the same day around 11.20am, Padawan police managed to arrest a 22-year-old woman, believed to be the infant’s mother. Investigations revealed that she is a local resident and not married.
Baby dumping in MJC, Batu Kawa
This tragic incident involved the death of an infant in MJC on Nov 22 whereby, the public came across the lifeless newborn baby girl in a garbage dump site.
The discovery was made around 9.50pm behind a local pub, and photos as well as video clips of the grim finding went viral in social media.
Padawan police dispatched a team to the scene and they took the baby’s body to the SGH forensics department for post-mortem examination.
In the early hours of Nov 23, the police managed to arrest a 23-year-old foreign woman in connection with the discovery of the lifeless body.
Baby dumping in Bandar Baru Samariang
Few days later, on Nov 29, the public came across another newborn baby girl in the bushes at Lorong Cahaya Damai.
The infant with the umbilical cord still attached, was rescued by the locals from a plastic bag upon hearing her cries.
In video clips uploaded on social media, an elderly woman could be seen wrapping the baby in a towel and, with the help of residents, ensured the infant’s comfort and cleanliness at a nearby eatery.
The newborn was taken to the SGH for examination, and was referred to the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
On the same day, Kuching police arrested a 14-year-old girl, believed to be the mother of the baby.
As for the father of the baby, the police arrested an 18-year-old boy on Dec 1 and he is being investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code for rape.
Baby hatch – safe haven for infants
In response to these incidents, Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) strongly condemned baby dumping, emphasising that every child deserves a safe and loving home.
The centre, dedicated to supporting parents facing challenging circumstances, has established a baby hatch.
The hatch, launched in October on the ground floor of the Emergency Department, serves as a safe, confidential, and legal option for parents grappling with the challenges of caring for their newborns.
The public is urged to disseminate information about the baby hatch within their communities, hoping to raise awareness and prevent further incidents of baby abandonment.
