The writer, a Sarawak-based veteran journalist, reflects the gap between preached values and real-world outcomes with regard to the alarming baby dumping cases in the country. He analyses and provides a comprehensive perspective on the issue, integrating both religious and societal factors with actionable recommendations.
The recent case of baby dumping in Sibu, involving a 14-year-old mother, has once again highlighted Malaysia’s struggle with a disturbing social issue that persists despite the nation’s strong moral and religious values.
Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah has pointed out how baby dumping is often tied to broader societal issues such as teenage pregnancies and the lack of proper sexual awareness. While Sarawak’s rates are lower compared to other regions, the problem remains prevalent across Malaysia, raising questions about where society has failed and what solutions might be effective in addressing these troubling trends.
For states like Kelantan and Terengganu, the contradiction is particularly obvious. Known for their stringent religious education systems and conservative leadership, these states ironically report some of the highest cases of baby dumping and other related issues, such as incest, molestation, and pre-marital – and extramarital – sexual activities.
This raises several critical questions: Is the approach to moral and religious education in these regions flawed? Are young people receiving the guidance they need to make informed decisions, or is the heavy emphasis on moral instruction inadvertently leading to shame, fear, and secrecy? The recent police expose on Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd’s (GISBH) illicit activities across several states involving child abuse is a case in point.
The country’s deeply rooted cultural and religious values stress family, morality, and the sanctity of life, yet baby dumping continues to plague the nation. Between January 2017 and December 2023, 44 cases of baby dumping or foetal abandonment were recorded in Sarawak alone, with six incidents happening as recently as October this year.
In Kelantan and Terengganu the numbers are even more alarming. Despite strong religious teachings, these states witness high rates of not only baby dumping but also other social issues often associated with sexual misconduct.
This disconnect between preached values and real-world outcomes calls for a thorough examination of the root causes. To understand why baby dumping remains an issue despite religious and moral instruction, I strongly believe it is crucial to delve into how these values are conveyed and the impact they have on young people’s understanding of sex, relationships, and accountability.
Religious education vs practical awareness
In many conservative regions, religious education stresses chastity, abstinence, and moral virtue as most important. However, it often lacks a practical component that educates young people about the realities of relationships, consent, and contraception.
Discussions around sex are frequently treated as taboo, creating an environment where young people may feel isolated in their experiences and unable to seek guidance.
Religious instruction, while valuable, may need to be more inclusive of practical lessons on bodily autonomy, sexual health, and mutual respect in relationships. Without these, young people are left vulnerable to misinformation, impulsive decisions, and, in worst cases, exploitation as in the GISBH expose.
The Sibu case illustrates this: the 14-year-old mother, who was unaware of her pregnancy and subsequently panicked after giving birth, resorted to abandoning her child out of fear. Now, had she been equipped with practical knowledge on sexual health, her situation – and that of her newborn – might have turned out differently.
Social stigmas
For young mothers facing an unplanned pregnancy, the weight of societal and familial expectations can be crushing. In conservative states, the shame associated with pre-marital pregnancies often drives individuals to extreme measures, including baby dumping, as they fear the consequences of keeping their child.
Many young people in these regions are deterred from reaching out for help due to a fear of judgment and punishment, both from their families and society. This leads to a vicious cycle where secrecy is maintained at the expense of health and well-being.
Without supportive environments that encourage open dialogue, young people will continue to resort to drastic actions to avoid societal stigma.
Lack of sex education
A fundamental issue contributing to the prevalence of baby dumping is the lack of comprehensive sex education in this country. While moral and religious education is deeply ingrained, education on reproductive health, consent, and contraception is largely absent.
Schools may cover basic reproductive biology, but rarely do they address safe sex practices, emotional readiness, or respect in relationships. As a result, many youths lack the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health.
By implementing a more inclusive and comprehensive sex education curriculum, our young people could gain a clearer understanding of sexual health, responsible decision-making, and the consequences of unsafe sexual practices.
This knowledge could empower them to make informed choices, reducing the likelihood of unplanned pregnancies and, consequently, baby dumping.
Also, in states with high poverty rates, such as Kelantan and Terengganu, the challenges of economic hardship often intersect with social issues, creating an environment where risky behaviours become more prevalent. Poverty can lead individuals to seek comfort or escape in drug abuse, which can impair judgment and contribute to risky sexual behaviour.
Furthermore, limited access to healthcare and counselling services compounds these issues, as individuals in lower socioeconomic brackets may lack the resources to obtain birth control or seek advice on safe practices.
The Sarawak context
In Sarawak, while baby dumping is less prevalent than in Malaya, the issue is still concerning. Fatimah has highlighted the connection between baby dumping and adolescent sexual issues, noting cases tied to factors such as grooming and lack of awareness.
The Sibu case is a troubling example of how predators can exploit young people, leading to teenage pregnancies and, subsequently, baby abandonment.
The Sarawak government has implemented various awareness programmes and social support structures. However, challenges persist, particularly in rural areas where access to education and healthcare is limited.
Strengthening these support networks can play a critical role in addressing the root causes of baby dumping in the state.
Effective solutions and recommendations
A key recommendation to combat the issue of baby dumping is the nationwide implementation of comprehensive sex education. This approach should go beyond biology to include discussions on consent, respect, and emotional readiness.
We can look to countries with successful sex education programmes that address not only the biological aspects but also the social and emotional dimensions of relationships. Teaching young people about responsible decision-making and self-respect can help them understand the consequences of unprotected sex and risky behaviours, potentially reducing rates of teenage pregnancies and baby dumping.
And to mitigate the stigma young people may feel, family support networks must be strengthened. Parents and guardians should be encouraged to discuss sensitive topics with their children in an open, non-judgmental manner.
Initiatives that offer family counselling and workshops on effective communication can help parents become allies rather than adversaries in guiding young people.
Another solution is to provide accessible counselling services for at-risk youth. Counselling can help young people navigate their emotions and make informed choices, reducing the likelihood of them resorting to desperate measures like baby dumping.
Furthermore, expanding baby hatch initiatives nationwide would provide mothers with a safe alternative to abandonment, allowing them to leave their newborns in a protected environment without fear of legal repercussions.
Reforming religious education
To address the issue of high baby dumping rates in religiously conservative states, religious education should be reformed to stress compassion and understanding. Instead of focusing solely on abstinence and moral punishment, religious teachings can incorporate messages of empathy, support, and responsibility.
Progressive religious educators can lead by example, creating a safe space for young people to seek advice and understand that faith and practical knowledge can coexist.
The persistence of baby dumping particularly in states like Kelantan and Terengganu, highlights a disconnect between religious teachings and real-world outcomes. It is essential to move beyond a purely moralistic approach and adopt a more holistic strategy that combines moral education with practical knowledge and emotional support.
By equipping young people with the right tools and fostering an environment of openness and empathy, we can work towards a future where baby dumping and other sex-related crimes are less common.
Ultimately, addressing baby dumping requires a multi-faceted approach that includes comprehensive education, strong family support systems, accessible counselling, and compassionate religious instruction.
This is not merely a social issue but a matter of public health, human rights, and community well-being. By bridging the gap between values and actions, our country and state can better protect their youth and uphold the sanctity of life in meaningful and lasting ways.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
