TAWAU: Three incidents involving an abandoned baby, a domestic assault, and a drowning tragedy were reported in the East Coast of the state over the past 24 hours.
Tawau Police received two reports regarding the discovery of a baby girl believed to have been abandoned in bushes near a house in Kampung Jawa.
The infant was found by a man at about 6.00 am Tuesday, who promptly alerted ambulance services. The baby is currently receiving medical care at Tawau Hospital.
The case is being investigated under Section 317 of the Penal Code. Police are actively tracing witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage to identify the baby’s mother and those responsible.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the investigating officer, Inspector Robiatul Adawiyah Japri, at 016-918 9402, or report to the nearest police station. Police also advised the public against speculation that could hinder the ongoing investigation.
In a separate incident, police arrested a foreigner in his 40s for allegedly assaulting his ex-wife in Kampung Sri Menanti, Tawau, on June 27. The suspect was apprehended in Kampung Jawa on July 20.
The 30-year-old victim was reportedly punched in the left eye and kicked on multiple parts of her body, resulting in injuries and severe pain. The suspect is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code, Section 18A of the Domestic Violence Act 1994, and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Police have reiterated their zero-tolerance stance on domestic violence. Victims or those with information can contact the IPD Tawau hotline at 089-772121, Acting OCPD Supt Wilynton Enchana Watt said in a statement.
In Sandakan, two boys were found drowned in an abandoned pool behind the People’s Housing Project (PPR) at Jalan Sungai Manila. The incident was reported at 6.01 pm on July 20.
The victims aged nine and 11, are both locals. They were pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.
Firemen who arrived at the location assisted in recovering the bodies before handing them over to the police for further action. The operation concluded at 7.08 pm, officer-in-charge of Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station Jimmy Lagung said. – James Leong
Residents gathered near the ambulance at the PPR in Jalan Sungai Manila, Sandakan on Monday.
