Malaysian authorities plead with public not to abandon infants

Malaysia’s National Registration Department has published a poignant and direct exhortation to the public not to abandon babies, urging struggling parents to choose legal adoption or foster care instead of dumping their babies, which are sometimes left in unsafe locations. 

Key Takeaways:

• The Malaysian government spoke out against the practice of abandoning newborn infants.

• The babies, particularly if not registered, can end up stateless and deprived of access to legal protection, education, and health care.

The Details:

In a statement quoted by media outlet SAYS, Malaysia’s National Registration Department (JPN) emphasized that many individuals may not fully grasp how one resolution — particularly in difficult moments — can have ramifications for a child’s long-term future, such as leaving them stateless. 

“Every child has the right to live, be protected, and be given a chance to build a future. Don’t let a difficult beginning become the end of their life story,” JPN wrote.

JPN also said infants should never be abandoned, highlighting how essential it is to register a child’s birth with JPN, stating that every child is entitled to legal protection and recognized rights. This is because without the necessary documentation, a child may not be legally acknowledged as a citizen of Malaysia, restricting their access to basic rights, legal protection, education, and health care. 

The comments section of the JPN Threads post revealed the department’s reply to an unmarried, seven-months-pregnant mother who was looking for a safe option for her preborn baby. 

“I am 7 months pregnant, and I was thinking of leaving the baby at a place where it can be safely left after birth. By the way, I am not married yet, and the man does not want to take responsibility,” the mother said.

“Register the child’s birth as a single mother so the child can obtain the rights of a citizen," JPN urged. "Do not abandon the child in public places. If someone wishes to adopt the child, after obtaining the birth certificate, a statutory declaration can be made stating that the child is being handed over to them." 

For parents truly incapable of rearing their child, JPN singled out the existence of lawful pathways to deal with such situations. These options include foster care placement or formal adoption, ensuring the infant is raised in a secure and nurturing environment. 

JPN also added that a sworn declaration permits birth mothers to legally transfer custody to adoptive parents. This paperwork simplifies adoption procedures while defending the child’s best interests.

“Every child born is innocent, regardless of the circumstances. They deserve the right to live, to be protected, and to be given a chance at building a future," JPN said.

Zoom In:

Infant abandonment is not uncommon in Malaysia. A Bernama report in November 2024 indicated that police documented 75 baby abandonment cases from January to September 2024, and 96 in the same period the year prior.

The prevalence of the problem of dumped babies can be seen in other cases as well. In 2026, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry divulged that 175 babies aged 12 months and below were saved from abandonment and put under the watch of the Social Welfare Department between 2022 and 2025. 

These statistics reveal a societal failure to help vulnerable mothers in distress with life-affirming alternatives to abandoning their babies. 

Recent years have seen Malaysia trying to curtail the disturbing trend of baby dumping via campaigns, education, and safe surrender options. Past government efforts like the “Save A Life” campaign aimed to encourage people in crisis to seek help rather than abandon a baby, while NGOs have promoted baby hatches as a means of saving infants from death or injury.

Notably, Malaysia is one of the countries that has adopted the “baby hatch” concept — designated safe‑surrender centers where mothers can place their infants in a discreet and anonymous manner. These facilities are designed to ensure that every child is taken care of in a protected and supportive setting. 

The Bottom Line:

JPN’s latest message is vital not only because it lambasts baby abandonment, but because it directs the public toward lawful and life-affirming alternatives. A society that truly prizes the dignity of children must make it less challenging for vulnerable mothers to choose life and welcome children into their lives.