GOING ALL OUT AGAINST BABY DUMPING
577 cases recorded between 2014 and last year, says DPM of rising crisis
THE government is ramping up efforts to reduce baby dumping incidents in the country.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said police recorded 577 cases of baby dumping between 2014 and last year.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also women, family and community development minister, attributed the growing crisis to teenage pregnancies and babies conceived out of wedlock.
“The ministry, together with the police, are conducting locality mapping and putting together strategic intervention for areas considered hotspots for baby dumping incidents,” she said after launching the ministry’s antibaby dumping poster campaign at the Dengkil southbound rest and service area (RSA).
The posters were displayed on
the doors of toilet cubicles at 22 RSAs along the PLUS highway.
Between 1.5 million and 1.6 million people ply the PLUS highway daily.
Based on police statistics between January and May, Johor recorded 13 baby dumping cases, followed by Selangor (11) and Kuala Lumpur (7).
There was an upward trend of baby dumping cases, with 103 incidents recorded in 2014; 111 cases in 2015; 115 cases in 2016; 120 cases in 2017; and, 128 last year.
Dr Wan Azizah urged those who needed help with unplanned pregnancies to call the 24-hour Talian Kasih hotline at 15999.
She reminded them of the seriousness of baby dumping, an offence under Section 318 of the Penal Code, which reads: “Whoever, by secretly burying or otherwise disposing of the dead body of a child, whether such child dies before, after or during its birth, intentionally conceals or endeavours to conceal the birth of such child, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.”
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh said babies were mainly dumped in housing areas, with 266 cases recorded between 2010 and last year, followed by public toilets (108) and rubbish dumps (89).
“Only 30 per cent of (the babies) were found alive,” she added.
Yeoh urged the corporate sector to join forces with the ministry to address the issue.
“Those who want to give up their babies should consider (handing them over at) appropriate places, such as orphan care facilities and baby hatches placed at KPJ medical facilities.”
KPJ baby hatches are available at KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital, KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital, KPJ Tawakkal Specialist Hospital, KPJ Seremban Specialist Hospital, KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital, KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital, KPJ Perdana Specialist Hospital in Kelantan and KPJ Kuantan Specialist Hospital.
Based on Orphan Care Foundation and KPJ Healthcare records between 2013 and June last year, 32 babies have been placed at the Orphan Care Foundation’s baby hatches and 16 at the KPJ hatches.