Tuesday August 17, 2010
Duo first to be charged with baby dumping in the country
MALACCA: An 18-year-old factory worker and his 17-year-old girlfriend became the first couple in the country to be charged under the Penal Code for baby dumping.
The couple pleaded guilty yesterday to the offence, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ jail, a fine or both.
Mohd Zolhalmi Khamis and the girl, both from Felda Jelai, Gemas, Negri Sembilan, were charged under Section 317 of the Penal Code for intentionally abandoning a child below the age of 12.
At the outset, magistrate Mohd Fairuz Johari explained to the girl that although she was a minor, she had to be in the dock together with her boyfriend owing to the nature of the offence.
“However, sentencing against you will be different,” he said.
Mohd Fairuz deferred sentencing to Sept 28 pending a probation report.
Waiting for sentence: The 17-yearold girl (left) and Mohd Zolhalmi (right) being led out of the court after being charged at the magistrate’s court yesterday.
The couple, both workers in the Diabochi factory at the Ayer Keroh Industrial Estate, left their newborn baby girl in a dumpster outside the factory at about 1am on Aug 11.
The baby was rescued at 5.20am by a factory security guard who heard the infant’s cries. He found the baby in a cloth bag.
The couple was arrested the same day and granted bail of RM5,000 each in one surety.