Heartless Trend Of Dumping Infants
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - As the public outrage continues over the recent cases of two dead newborn babies, one left in a garbage dump and the other buried in a shoebox along the highway, relevant officials have sounded their fury and ways and means to deal with this deplorable malady.

The child will be given protection or given to families who want to adopt a child.

He explained that youths who are involved in teenage pregnancies are afraid to disclose it to their families.

At least they need to disclose it to someone who can help to save their baby.

The department received a total of 27 cases of abandoned babies from 1995 to 2006.

In 2004 there were four cases recorded and four babies were adopted whilst in 2005 the number dropped to two and in 2006, two abandoned babies were also recorded.

The highest number of abandoned babies recorded by JAPEM was five in 2003. Fortunately, all have found new homes.

Meanwhile, statistics from the Ministry of Health revealed 456 teen pregnancies in 2004 with 281 teenagers experiencing their first pregnancy.

The youngest mother ever recorded was a 13-year-old. There were three cases of very young mothers between 2000-2001.

Meanwhile, police statistics revealed two abandoned babies and four dead babies in 2006. While in 2005 four babies and one dead baby were abandoned. This year, two dead babies have been found.

Sources at the legal sector told the Weekend Bulletin that it was very sad that these acts were committed in Brunei. There should be public awareness about consequences for such actions, especially in the eyes of the law.

A person who abandons the child will be charged, depending on the act itself, whether the person abandoned the baby when it is still alive or after it has died.

Under the Penal Code Chapter 22 Section 308A(1) whoever commits the offence of infanticide shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to 10 years and shall also be liable to a fine.

Whilst under the Penal Code Chapter 22 Section 318, "whoever by secretly burying or otherwise disposing of the dead body of a child, whether such child die before or after or during its birth intentionally conceals or endeavours to conceal the birth of such child, shall be punished for a term which may extend to two years or with a fine or with both".

Public opinion on this matter too is clear. Janet Lee, 26, told the Weekend Bulletin: "I am disappointed how such things can happen. It is a real irony that some people could abandon these babies when there are others out there who are willing to adopt them - especially those who cannot have children."

Hjh Sarinah, 34, from Kg Salambigar, mother of four, said it was sad that there were people who just dump their babies.

"They should be reminded there are people out there who are willing to adopt the children. There should be awareness in our society that what they do has consequences," she said.

In religious perspectives, Islam totally forbids the act of abandoning babies, said Hajah Siti Zaliha binti Haji Abu Salim, Deputy Dean and lecturer at the Syariah Department, Sultan Omar Ali Saif iddien Institute of Islamic Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. The issue of abandoning of babies has happened ever since the 'Jahiliah' era.

"Even dumping the baby when it's dead already is also forbidden. If they are deceased, we respect them by giving them a proper burial according to Islamic burial rites. If they are just dumped, we have deprived them of their rights as a Muslim and that is a sin.

"The act of pre-marital sex shows a person's irresponsibility, by committing the act and dumping the baby, hides one sinful act with another sin. It is better not to dump the baby, as there are parties who are willing to take the baby," said Hajah Siti Zaliha.

One of the reasons why there are acts of pre-marital sex is that youths are exposed to sexual elements such as films and songs that endorse relationships and entertainment.

All of these are available and accessible to the youths today thus they are influenced easily, she said.

She further explained that youths need guidance as Islam forbids "zina" or adultery.

"The role of the family as an institution is vital to avoid such acts and aside from that, the person himself must be strong mentally or personally on how to avoid from such an act," she added.

Most of Muslim Brunei youths attend religious schools and are taught what is forbidden in Islam.

"Only its appreciation and practice need to be emphasised so that they are aware of the consequences in terms of committing the act according to the teachings of Islam," she added. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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