Locating baby hatch mothers defeats purpose of anonymity, says S’wak activist

KUCHING (Feb 14): Attempts by authorities to locate the biological mothers of infants left at baby hatches defeat the purpose of the facilities, said social activist Voon Shiak Ni.

According to her, baby hatches are meant to provide desperate mothers with a safe, anonymous, and humane alternative during moments of crisis.

“We must recognise that some mothers face overwhelming circumstances, including social stigma, financial hardship, abuse, or mental distress. Criminalising or shaming them does not solve the problem. Providing a safe option does,” she said in a statement following the Kuching Divisional Social Welfare Department (JKM)’s recent appeal to the public to help locate the biological mother of a baby boy left at Borneo Medical Centre’s baby hatch earlier this month.

Voon noted that a similar appeal was made in July last year when another infant was left at the facility.

She emphasised that baby hatches serve as a compassionate and practical solution to prevent baby dumping and infanticide.

“Is making a public appeal to locate the biological mother who already left the baby at the facility a positive move?”

Highlighting the gravity of the issue, Voon said over 1,000 infants have been abandoned nationwide in recent years, with more than 60 per cent unable to survive.

“Those left to die but not yet discovered are also a major concern,” she added.

To save lives, Voon stressed that baby hatches must guarantee anonymity and protect the mother’s identity.

She called it ‘absurd’ for authorities to seek public assistance in locating mothers, warning that it could trigger fear and anxiety and deter other desperate mothers from using the facility.

Investigation, she said, should only be initiated if there is evidence of abuse.

“Mothers must feel safe and be assured of legal protection to surrender their babies safely at the designated facility,” she said.

Voon also cited the Adoption Act 1952 (for non-Muslims) and the Child Act 2001, which empower the JKM to facilitate the adoption of abandoned children.

She stressed the importance of raising public awareness, particularly educating schoolchildren on the risks of teenage pregnancy.

“People should know that there is this baby hatch, which serves as a safe alternative to reduce panic-driven decisions.

“I humbly urge the ministry and the department concerned to review the baby hatch policy to provide a more comfortable and appealing platform to save more babies and prevent baby dumping,” she added.