PETALING JAYA: Out of the 1,075 cases of baby-dumping reported in the country since 2008, almost 25% of the number comes from Selangor.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Minister Hannah Yeoh (pic) said the most number of babies dumped were in Selangor with 254 cases, followed by Sabah (141) and Johor (127).

However, she said that the high number in Selangor was due to its "transit population" as there are many people moving in and out of the state.

Yeoh said this after witnessing an MoU signing between Baby Product Association of Malaysia (BPAM) and OrphanCare Foundation on Friday (Oct 5).

Yeoh said when she was appointed a deputy minister, she visited the places where the dumped babies were housed.

"It was very sad to see these babies because they do not have anyone to cuddle them and show them love like what families do.

"They grew up in a cot. That's the reality. The children will smile at you and can only hope that someone will carry them," she said.

Yeoh urged baby product retailers to engage the public – especially pregnant teenagers – and explain the various initiatives the government has for them.

"They could leave their babies at OrphanCare and no legal action will be taken against them. They don't have to feel shame or throw their babies away," said Yeoh, adding that she ultimately wants all children to grow up in a non-institutionalised setting.

OrphanCare Foundation Noraini Hashim said of the 1,075 babies that were dumped, only about 40% were alive while the rest were found dead.

Noraini said some 37% of the babies sent to the foundation will eventually return to their biological parents, and the rest are adopted.

There are baby hatches in Selangor, Johor and Sungai Petani.

"The baby hatch in Sungai Petani was launched in 2015 and we only had three babies so far. We hope people will be aware of this hatch especially for those living in the northern region," said Noraini.