A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of coercing his 19-year-old girlfriend into taking an abortion pill, which allegedly led to the premature birth and death of their eight-month-old baby, police confirmed today.
Gombak police are investigating the case, first reported by Sungai Buloh Hospital on Dec. 3.
According to ACP Noor Ariffin Mohamad Nasir, the incident began in Bandar Country Homes, Rawang, where the man allegedly pressured the woman to take a drug suspected of inducing miscarriage.
The woman subsequently delivered the premature infant at a private clinic on Dec. 2. The baby was rushed to Hospital Sungai Buloh but died the following day due to complications from prematurity and oxygen deprivation to the brain.
Police are investigating under Section 315 of the Penal Code, which addresses acts done with the intent to prevent a child from being born alive or to cause it to die after birth. The offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine.
The man has been remanded for four days to assist in the investigation, while police are also looking into the woman’s role.
Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact Inspector Prakash Sithambaram at 012-2940827 or the Gombak District Police Headquarters Operations Room.
Abortion in Malaysia is generally illegal under the Penal Code, except when deemed medically necessary, typically within the first 120 days of pregnancy. Beyond that period, abortion is usually only permitted if the mother’s life is at risk.
