Student who got rid of baby bound over 3 years

Magistrate advises final-year diploma student to mend her ways.

KUALA LUMPUR: A student at a public higher learning institution in Johor was placed on an RM8,000 bond of good behaviour for three years for disposing of her newborn son to conceal her out-of-wedlock delivery.

Magistrate Nur A’minahtul Mardiah Md Nor said the court would not impose a jail sentence as it would only prevent the 21-year-old from turning over a new leaf.

She also ordered the student to report to the nearest police station once a month until the expiry of the bond, and warned that imprisonment awaited her should she breach any of the conditions.

The final-year diploma student pleaded guilty on Nov 22 to concealing the birth of her baby by secretly disposing it at a location in Jalan Sigu, Sentul here, at 1.15am on Nov 9.

The charge, under Section 318 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum jail term of two years or a fine, or both, on conviction.

However, sentencing was deferred to today pending her probation report.

Earlier, in mitigation, the student, who was unrepresented, told the court she regretted her action.
“I am still studying and I want to build a bright future.”

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Hajar Mohd Ashif urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence as the offence did not only involve a life but was a serious crime.

According to the facts of the case, a policeman received a call from the public about a newborn that had been abandoned in front of a house.

The baby, which was covered with plastic and still had its umbilical cord intact, was dead when discovered. -FMT