Newborn’s body found in Dungun hostel locker

A 19-year-old student allegedly hid the body of her newborn baby in a locker at a hostel after giving birth in the toilet of an educational institution here two days ago.

Dungun district police chief Nik Ab Halim Nik Mat said police received a report on the discovery of the body at 10.48pm yesterday.

He said the baby, believed to have been born at eight months’ gestation, was suspected to have died after birth.

Investigations found that the student allegedly wrapped the baby in a cloth, placed the body in a bag, and put it in the hostel locker.

“The matter came to light after the management of a mosque contacted the institution and informed them that the student had sought help to arrange for the baby’s burial,” he said when contacted today.

Nik Ab Halim said police recorded statements from several witnesses and examined the scene with assistance from the forensic unit.

The baby’s body was taken to Dungun Hospital for a post-mortem. The case is being investigated under Section 318 of the Penal Code for the concealment of birth.