‘PLEASE LOOK AFTER THIS CHILD’
Man finds newborn with note in front of Penang family health office
“TOLONG jaga budak ini (Please look after this child).” These words were scribbled on a piece of paper placed next to a newborn, with his umbilical cord still attached, abandoned in front of the Penang Family Health Development Association office in Jelutong here on Saturday.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong said the newborn, wrapped in a green towel, was discovered by an unemployed man who had gone to the association at 7.35pm yesterday. He lodged a report after discovering the baby.
He said the 43-year-old man had came from Sungai Bakap to visit his former colleagues at the association.
“He arrived about 3pm and sat there until 6pm before going out to buy food. He returned to the association building around 7.20pm before going out for a smoke at 7.40pm.
“When he opened the glass door, he saw something wrapped in a green towel near the gate by the roadside. He went near the object and found the newborn. Left along with the baby was the note.
“He then brought the baby to his friends in the office. A woman clothed the baby and fed him with formula milk. The baby is a boy with his umbilical cord still attached,” he said on Sunday.
Soffian said the newborn was taken to
Penang Hospital for treatment and further observation as he appeared to have jaundice.
“We could not find a good fingerprint on the note left with the baby. There was a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera at the site, but it was not functioning.
“However, we believe another CCTV camera near a Chinese temple can shed some light. But there was no one around the premises.
“The case is being probed under Section 31 of the Penal Code,” he added.
Those with information about the incident can contact the investigating officer at 019-473 5105 or through the district police headquarters’ official WhatsApp at 019-564 1822 or any nearest police station.