SEPANG: The government is ramping up its 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 nationwide between 2014 and 2018.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, attributed the growing crisis to teenage pregnancy and babies conceived out of wedlock.
"The ministry, together with the police, are in the midst of conducting locality mapping and putting together strategic intervention for areas considered hotspots for baby dumping incidents," she said after launching the ministry's anti-baby dumping poster at the Dengkil southbound rest area.
The posters have been mounted on the doors of every toilet cubicle at 22 rest areas 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 this year, Johor recorded 13 baby dumping cases followed by Selangor with 11 cases and Kuala Lumpur with seven cases.
Malaysia is recording 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 cases in 2018.
Dr Wan Azizah urged teenagers and women who need help with their unplanned pregnancies to call the 24-hour Talian Kasih hotline at 15999.
She also reminded them of the seriousness of committing baby dumping, which is investigated under Section 318 of the Penal Code.
It reads: "Whoever, by secretly burying or otherwise disposing of the dead body of a child, whether such child dies before or 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 main baby dumping sites are housing areas, with 266 cases recorded between 2010 and 2018; followed by public toilets with 108 cases; and rubbish dumps with 89 cases.
"Only 30 per cent of (dumped babies) are found alive," she added.
Yeoh also urged the corporate sector to join forces with the ministry in its efforts to address baby dumping issues.
"Those who want to give up their babies should consider (handing them over to) appropriate places, such as at Orphan Care facilities and baby hatches placed at KPJ medical facilities," she said.
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.