By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 28: A baby recently left at a baby hatch in Johor Bahru should not be regarded as abandoned because the mother had left the child’s name behind, says Federal Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Dato Sri Nancy Shukri.
Nancy said the Welfare Department (JKM) was still attempting to trace the infant’s biological parents and relatives despite already obtaining some information.
“There is a name, but based on the information I received last night, we have still not been able to locate the family members,” she told reporters during a doorstep interview after attending Ibadah Qorban programme in Kampung Bintawa Hilir here today.
She explained that JKM had already obtained a court order to place the baby under the care of a suitable guardian while investigations and tracing efforts continue.
Nancy said the act of leaving the baby at a baby hatch together with a name suggested that the mother still felt a sense of responsibility towards the child.
“If she wanted to abandon the baby, she would not have left a name,” she said.
According to her, the ministry remains hopeful that the baby’s relatives would eventually come forward.
“We know that when the mother handed the baby over to the baby hatch, it means she still had a sense of responsibility and guilt because she gave the child a name, and the name itself carried meaning,” she said.
Commenting further, Nancy said many baby hatch facilities in the country are operated by private organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), some of which collaborate closely with the ministry and hospitals.
She said the government also provides assistance, including financial allocations and cooperation, to selected operators, although not all applications receive approval.
“We want to ensure those operating baby hatch facilities genuinely want to help reduce social problems and assist mothers who are facing difficulties,” she said.
At the same time, Nancy stressed that baby hatch operators must manage such facilities responsibly and ensure they are not misused.
She also encouraged individuals facing difficulties to seek advice and guidance from JKM.
“Let us all hope that more people will come forward to seek guidance and assistance from us,” she added.
According to a report by New Straits Times, a baby girl abandoned at the OrphanCare Foundation baby hatch in Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru, on May 26, was found with a note bearing the name Ainul Inaayah Abdul Hadi.
The note left behind also stated the meaning of the name, “bearer of light”, and indicated the baby was born at 10am on March 22. — DayakDaily
