By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Feb 7 — Several state government lawmakers have called for a moratorium on a Federal provision which criminalises baby dumping while a study is being conducted to identify a more compassionate approach to address the underlying factors behind these incidents.
The state assemblymen also urged the government to focus on support and rehabilitation, particularly for parents who are trapped in complex socio-economic challenges which lead to such tragic occurrences.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Subang Jaya state assemblyman Michelle Ng Mei Sze stressed the importance of imposing a moratorium on Section 317 of the Penal Code, so as not to penalise individuals who may have been compelled to resort to desperate measures.
The provision stipulates that parents or guardians of children under 12 who abandon them shall be imprisoned for up to seven years or fined.
The DAP lawmaker also highlighted the challenges posed by this provision, which she noted is often used in baby dumping cases.
“The challenge with Section 317 is that it is easy to prove and is often the default provision in child abandonment cases. This is unlike negligence cases, the intent of which is harder to prove.
“It is important for us to carefully consider cases of child abandonment, as we do not want to prosecute individuals in court for actions that were not intended,” she said during a press conference at the State Legislative Assembly session today.
Ng’s comment comes after a baby boy was discovered abandoned at the doorstep of a laundromat at Subang Perdana Goodyear Court 4 in USJ 8, Subang Jaya, on Tuesday (March 5) morning.
The month-old baby was found by residents around 5am, who then alerted the authorities.
The assemblyman, who was at the scene, said she managed to get a look at the baby before he was taken to Hospital Shah Alam.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said Selangor has engaged in various initiatives to raise awareness on issues such as sexual harassment, including conducting school talks in collaboration with the Welfare Department.
She added the state government has also established helplines for social-related matters, and urged those seeking support to seek help through these channels.
“We will also launch a massive child awareness campaign beginning March 21, targeting parents,” Anfaal said.
Meru state assemblyman Mariam Abdul Rashid said she and the other lawmakers do not condone baby dumping but instead advocate for a more compassionate approach to this issue.
Others present at the press conference today were Lembah Jaya state assemblyman Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad and Kajang state assemblyman Cheong Kian Young.
Earlier today in the Dewan Rakyat, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii had similarly raised the issue, noting the persistently high cases of baby dumping and the inadequacy of existing laws in addressing the root of the problem.
