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Demand for the unwanted
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5:
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Almost 100 babies have been abandoned every year since 2000, and the tragedy is that most of their parents cannot be hauled to court to face charges of negligence.
The reason: Nine out of 10 of the culprits cannot be identified.
The only bright spot in the dark saga of newborn dumped in garbage bins or by the roadside is that there is a long queue of couples waiting to adopt them.
Latest statistics from the federal Criminal Investigations Department show 92 cases of abandoned babies in 2003, 98 in 2002, and 97 in 2001.
Between January and September this year, 53 newborn were abandoned.
Federal CID director Datuk Musa Hassan said the culprits were difficult to track down because of the lack of information from the public.
"When it comes to abandoned babies, we rely on information we receive from the public," Musa said.
In a recent case, an undergraduate gave birth to a baby girl in a hostel room and abandoned her. Since then, she and the baby have been reunited.
CID statistics reveal that of the 92 cases in 2003, police had managed to trace 10 suspects.
Musa said most of the culprits who were caught were unwed couples.
He felt the Islamic Religious Affairs Department could provide counselling and special courses for teenagers to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
"Abandoning babies is a terrible and irresponsible act, and the blame should be on both parents, not just the mother," he said.
At present, if the parents cannot be traced, the Welfare Department steps in to take care of the baby.
The babies are not bereft of hope, however, as there is a long list of couples who want to adopt children. Welfare Department director-general Datuk Shamsiah Abdul Rahman said pregnant young women who need help should consult the department.
Whether or not the mother decides to keep her child, the Welfare Department would be able to offer her material and emotional support.
The Welfare Department places teenage mothers and their babies in Taman Seri Puteri, a centre providing shelter and training for young women.
"They can call us if they need someone to listen to their problems," Shamsiah said. "It is possible for these women to lead normal lives after giving birth."
Demand for the unwanted
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Almost 100 babies have been abandoned every year since 2000, and the tragedy is that most of their parents cannot be hauled to court to face charges of negligence.
The reason: Nine out of 10 of the culprits cannot be identified.
The only bright spot in the dark saga of newborn dumped in garbage bins or by the roadside is that there is a long queue of couples waiting to adopt them.
Latest statistics from the federal Criminal Investigations Department show 92 cases of abandoned babies in 2003, 98 in 2002, and 97 in 2001.
Between January and September this year, 53 newborn were abandoned.
Federal CID director Datuk Musa Hassan said the culprits were difficult to track down because of the lack of information from the public.
"When it comes to abandoned babies, we rely on information we receive from the public," Musa said.
In a recent case, an undergraduate gave birth to a baby girl in a hostel room and abandoned her. Since then, she and the baby have been reunited.
CID statistics reveal that of the 92 cases in 2003, police had managed to trace 10 suspects.
Musa said most of the culprits who were caught were unwed couples.
He felt the Islamic Religious Affairs Department could provide counselling and special courses for teenagers to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
"Abandoning babies is a terrible and irresponsible act, and the blame should be on both parents, not just the mother," he said.
At present, if the parents cannot be traced, the Welfare Department steps in to take care of the baby.
The babies are not bereft of hope, however, as there is a long list of couples who want to adopt children. Welfare Department director-general Datuk Shamsiah Abdul Rahman said pregnant young women who need help should consult the department.
Whether or not the mother decides to keep her child, the Welfare Department would be able to offer her material and emotional support.
The Welfare Department places teenage mothers and their babies in Taman Seri Puteri, a centre providing shelter and training for young women.
"They can call us if they need someone to listen to their problems," Shamsiah said. "It is possible for these women to lead normal lives after giving birth."
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