Newspaper Analysis on Filicide and Infant Abandonment in Malaysia

Phenomena of filicide and infant abandonment have attracted attention of the public and media in Malaysia. A newspaper analysis was carried out to understand the discourse of filicide and infant abandonment in this country. Data was searched from online archives of local newspapers from January 2005 to October 2015. Filicide and infant abandonment were perceived as a very cruel, sinful and immoral behaviour. Babies were described being abandoned in various heartbreaking conditions. Woman was portrayed as the main suspect or perpetrator. The predicament was believed to be due to various interrelated factors, which include challenging behaviour of the youngsters, lack of parental and family commitment, lack of education and control on sex and reproduction, and negative attitude of the society. Various interventions have been implemented by the government and non-governmental agencies, which include offering baby hatches, homes and adoption; creating awareness through campaigns and seminars; suggestion for sex and reproductive education; improving access to services; and implementing various sentences and suggestion for capital punishment. There is a need for the associated factors and interventions to be informed by scientific and local evidences. Thus, more research on this predicament is warranted.