Sarawak targets zero underage pregnancies, baby dumping cases

KUCHING: Sarawak is aiming to achieve zero cases of underage pregnancies and abandoned babies following a recent baby dumping incident involving an underage girl. 

Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah revealed that based on the statistics from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Sarawak recorded 54 cases of baby dumping from 2016 to Dec 4, 2022.

“In 2016, there were 10 reported cases of baby dumping. In 2017, there were four, in 2018 (10), 2019 (5), 2020 (5), 2021 (10) and 2022 (5).

“We are very concerned about the issue,” she told the media here on Monday (Dec 4).

Fatimah, who is also the Sarawak Women and Family Council (MWKS) chairperson, highlighted ongoing efforts to eliminate teenage pregnancies and baby dumping cases. 

“We are intensifying awareness and preventive programmes, such as the Sexual Education Awareness and Advocacy (KAPS) programme in secondary schools, with a focus on high-risk areas.

“There is also a Randau Pembangunan Social in all divisions by the ministry’s Social Development Council (MPS) because there are still cases of unwanted pregnancies or underage pregnancies that need our attention.”

Fatimah noted the significance of the Taman Sri Puteri facility in Kuching, operated by the Welfare Department, as a safe place for pregnant girls to receive support and assistance throughout their pregnancy. 

“My ministry also approaches pregnant teenagers through the One Stop Teenage Pregnancy Committees (OSTPC) so that they can receive necessary help, not only medically but also emotionally through their pregnancy period until they deliver their babies.”

Encouraging parents and guardians to seek assistance from relevant government departments and non-governmental organisations such as Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM), Jabatan Wania dan Keluarga Sarawak (JWKS), she stressed the importance of baby hatches in specialist and private hospitals to prevent cases of abandoned babies.

The recent baby dumping incident involved the discovery of an abandoned newborn in a residential area on Nov 29. The 14-year-old girl suspected to be the baby’s mother was subsequently arrested.

In addition, Fatimah announced the introduction of anatomy dolls and age-appropriate cartoon comics in primary schools next year through the KAPS program. 

This initiative aims to educate primary schoolchildren on the concept of ‘safe touch’ and distinguish between right and wrong actions.