A week-old baby boy was found near the Paka beach in Terengganu. Left in a bag and abandoned in a dry drain, the infant narrowly escaped being mauled by a dog before being rescued by a lorry driver.
In Taman Daya, Johor Bahru, a newborn baby girl was found on the ninth-floor staircase of an apartment building.
These are just three cases of baby abandonment in this country. Sadly, infants left alive or found lifeless are regularly reported despite numerous efforts by the authorities, NGOs and social groups to curb such incidents.
According to statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), 75 cases of baby abandonment were reported from January to September this year, versus 96 cases during the same period in 2023. While this is a slight decline, it remains a concerning issue.
Selangor recorded the highest number of cases last year with 38, followed by Sabah (21) and Johor (14). This January to September, Selangor again topped the list with 21 cases, followed by Johor (9) and Perak (8).
Cases of baby abandonment in Malaysia are typically investigated under the Child Act 2001 and the Penal Code. The locations for baby abandonment in Malaysia are often accessible, concealed or less crowded areas.
According to senior assistant police commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan from PDRM’s sexual, women and children investigation division, the most common locations include residential areas such as neighbours’ yards, back alleys, and playgrounds.
Hospitals, clinics, mosques, public toilets, markets, and trash bins are also frequent sites. CCTV footage and frequent patrols help to identify high-risk areas, she said.
Siti Kamsiah noted that the stigma surrounding pregnancies out of wedlock is a root cause behind these actions. “Stress, psychological pressure, and lack of emotional support can lead to irrational decisions, including abandoning a baby,” she said.
Another contributing factor is the widespread exposure to pornographic and sexual content on social media, particularly among teenagers who lack comprehensive sex education.
PDRM, she added, supports initiatives like baby hatch centres, which provide a safer alternative for mothers in crisis. It is a humane solution that offers abandoned babies a second chance in life.
A baby hatch is a designated space designed for mothers to leave their infants safely and confidentially. Equipped with detection systems, it alerts staff immediately when a baby is placed inside. Rescued infants are then enrolled in adoption programmes or sent to suitable institutions.
KPJ Seremban chief executive officer Nor Aidil Ikram Muhamad stressed that baby hatches should not be perceived as promoting immoral actions, but rather as a lifesaving measure.
“Our focus is on saving babies without prejudice. What’s most important is that these babies are not abandoned but placed here safely,” he said.
Since 2013, KPJ Seremban’s baby hatch programme has saved 10 babies, including one diagnosed with HIV.
According to Nor Aidil, rescued babies are sent to the hospital for health screenings before being handed over to the social welfare department, which will collaborate with the OrphanCare Foundation to ensure they are placed with suitable foster families.
OrphanCare general manager Zakiah A Rahman emphasised that addressing baby abandonment requires a comprehensive approach rather than merely punitive measures.
“Society must come together to provide support and assistance to those facing unplanned pregnancies to prevent more tragic outcomes,” she said.
Since its inception in 2008, OrphanCare has saved over 600 babies through its eight baby hatches across Malaysia. The NGO also provides specialised support programmes for mothers facing unplanned pregnancies, guiding them from early pregnancy stages through postpartum care.
This includes opening medical records, prenatal and postnatal care, and providing baby essentials until the child turns one.
“We always advise these mothers to be realistic and prioritise their child’s welfare,” Zakiah added.
Dr Farhana Sabri, senior counselling lecturer at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, views the baby hatch initiative as beneficial in saving the lives of innocent babies.
However, she said, baby hatches are just part of the solution; more importantly, public awareness must be raised to prevent actions that lead to such situations.
Farhana also emphasised the importance of foster families fully committing to educating and providing emotional support to these children, so they are never seen or labelled as “abandoned”.