A NEWBORN baby boy, thought to have been born only hours earlier, was found abandoned in a women’s toilet at a petrol station in Bongawan, Papar, at around 1.20am on Thursday.
The infant was discovered in a bloodied state by a 21-year-old woman, who immediately reported the matter to the authorities.
Papar District Police Chief, Superintendent Heryan Mohd Tahir, confirmed that police were alerted following the initial report and quickly dispatched a team led by the investigating officer to the scene.
“Upon arrival, the officers found a fully formed baby boy inside the restroom. The infant was then taken to Papar Hospital for further medical attention. He is currently stable and under hospital supervision,” Heryan said in a statement to Sinar Harian on Friday.
The preliminary investigation led authorities to detain the 21-year-old woman on suspicion of being the infant’s mother. She is being held to assist in investigations under Section 317 of the Penal Code, which relates to concealing a birth.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the birth and abandonment, with the welfare of the newborn remaining a priority. - January 2, 2026