Thursday, 9 October 2025

Baby hatches ensure safety, not stigma

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Fatimah (2nd from right) speaking at the media briefing.

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KUCHING: Minister for Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to expand baby hatch facilities in Sarawak, saying that the initiative is a humanitarian effort to save lives, not to promote out-of-wedlock pregnancies or baby abandonment.

Fatimah addressed the recent public concerns following the discovery of a baby boy left at the baby hatch at Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) Kuching on Jun 15.

“The baby hatch is not to encourage out-of-wedlock pregnancies.

“It exists to prevent unsafe baby abandonment and to save the lives of both the infant and the mother,” she told a press conference at Wisma Wanita today

Fatimah emphasised that the baby hatch provides a confidential, non-disciplinary, and safe option for desperate mothers, especially those facing societal stigma due to out-of-wedlock pregnancies, to surrender their newborns.

“When a baby is placed in a hatch, an alarm is triggered, and trained staff immediately retrieve the baby to ensure their safety.

“The identity of the mother will not and is never revealed,” she said.

However, in response to the criticism over why the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKM) issued a notice urging the mother of the baby boy to come forward, Fatimah said that this is part of standard procedure.

“This one-month window is not about punishment, but to give the mother a chance to change her mind.

“We’ve had cases where a mother reclaimed her baby before the child was adopted.

“We want to give the mother that opportunity,” she said.

However, if no claim is made within one month, JKM will proceed with the baby’s birth registration and assume guardianship.

A birth certificate is issued under the National Registration Department (JPN), although parental details will be marked as “No Information” and nationality listed as “Undetermined”.

“If the biological mother comes forward, the adoption process will be easier, and the child can even obtain citizenship and ‘K’ (Sarawakian) status more quickly,” Fatimah said.

Fatimah highlighted ongoing efforts by the Sarawak government to simplify citizenship processes for abandoned babies adopted by Sarawakian families.

“The Cabinet has approved that if the adoptive parents are Sarawakians, the child may be granted ‘K’ status even if the biological parents are unknown.

“This ensures they can grow up with legal rights and a secure identity,” she stated.

Fatimah reiterated that baby hatch is a last resort, not a long-term solution.

Through the JKM, the state also provides shelters, such as Taman Seri Puteri, which offer support for pregnant teenagers, including prenatal care, education, vocational training, counselling, and spiritual guidance.

“Our goal is not just to save babies, but also to give mothers a second chance.

“If we can save even one life, Alhamdulillah. If we can save two, even better,” she said.

She urged more NGOs, private hospitals, and corporate bodies to join the effort by setting up Baby Hatches, offering counselling, and raising awareness at the grassroots level.

“We remain committed to protecting the lives of babies, offering recovery pathways for pregnant teens, and building a more compassionate society.”

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