KINABATANGAN: The district police here received a police report regarding the discovery of a between three to five-day-old baby boy in an oil palm plantation on Jan 17.
A plantation worker found the baby while working and immediately notified the management. The baby was then taken to the plantation clinic for initial treatment before being transferred to Kinabatangan Hospital for further medical care.
OCPD Supt Ravi Duraisamy on Sunday confirmed the report was lodged at 7.27 pm Saturday and police were investigating the case under Section 317 of the Penal Code for concealing birth with the intent to abandon a child.
“This offence carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine, or both, if convicted. Efforts to trace those involved are underway,” Ravi said.
According to Ravi, preliminary examination revealed that the baby, found alive, weighing approximately 2.4 kilogrammes, and is reported to be in stable condition. The baby is fully developed and shows no signs of injury. He will be referred to the Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan for further monitoring and follow-up action by the welfare authorities.
Initial investigations found that the incident location has no CCTV coverage, and no eyewitnesses have come forward so far. No arrests have been made, he said.
“Members of the public with any information related to this incident are urged to contact the police at 089-561890 or the Investigating Officer, Inspector Nur Syafiqah Dahon, at 014-5573735 to assist in the probe. Public cooperation is vital to ensure the continued safety and well-being of the community,” Ravi added. – James Leong
A plantation worker found the baby while working and immediately notified the management.
