KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau chief Milton Foo has urged the public to seek immediate medical attention in the event of a miscarriage at home.
He warned that handling and burying a foetus without notifying the authorities could constitute an offence under the law.
He said many young people, particularly teenage girls, were unaware of the legal implications surrounding such situations.
“Many among the youth, especially teenage girls, do not realise the matter and its consequences on them,” he told reporters when met at the Magistrates’ Court here today (Mar 3).
Foo, who is a lawyer by profession, was commenting on a case he handled involving a 24-year-old woman who was fined RM4,000, in default six months’ imprisonment, after pleading guilty to a charge under Section 318 of the Penal Code for concealing the birth of a dead foetus.
In the case, the woman was charged with intentionally concealing the birth of a dead foetus by burying it in a bush area at Taman Malihah here, on Jan 28.
Foo clarified that the incident was not a forced abortion or an intentional act of terminating a pregnancy, but an unintentional miscarriage.
“However, when such an incident happens at home and the foetus is buried without informing the authorities, it may amount to an offence under the law,” he said.
He stressed that the first step to take in such circumstances is to contact an ambulance and seek immediate treatment at a hospital.
“Do not handle it yourself because the law is very strict, especially under Section 318 of the Penal Code. If this happens, the first thing to do is call an ambulance and get medical assistance immediately,” he emphasised.
According to Foo, the woman was believed to have panicked and did not know what action to take at the time, and no family members were at home during the incident.
She sought treatment at a hospital the following day after experiencing persistent abdominal pain, after which the hospital lodged a police report in accordance with standard procedure.
Foo called for greater public awareness on the proper procedures to follow in pregnancy-related emergencies to prevent similar cases from occurring in the future.
