BAHAU, Malaysia — An eleven-year-old girl gave birth to a baby boy at a private clinic near here on Wednesday morning, and police are now looking for the man who is believed to have raped her.
Jempol police district chief, Supt Hamzah Alias, said the grandmother had taken her to a private clinic when she complained of abdominal pains early Wednesday.
The grandmother was stunned when the doctor informed her that the girl was experiencing labor pains.
The Year Five pupil, who is doing fine after delivering the baby, has been admitted to the Tuanku Ampuan Najihah hospital in Kuala Pilah for observation.
Her baby, although born underweight, is also doing fine.
“The girl’s family has lodged a police report. We hope to arrest the suspect soon. This is statutory rape,” he told The Star.
The man, who is in his 30s and has a criminal record, is not related to the girl.
Police have classified the case under Section 376 of the Penal Code which provides a jail sentence of up to 20 years prison and whipping.
“Preliminary investigations showed that the girl lived with her grandmother. We are still trying to establish the facts of the rape case,” he said.
When contacted, State Welfare, Women and Family Development Committee chairman Norhayati Omar said she was appalled by the incident.
“I have not met the girl or her family but it is sad that this had to happen,” she said, adding that she planned to visit the girl soon.
Datuk Norhayati said this is believed to be the youngest case in the state.
She added that she was told the girl, who is the eldest of three siblings, knew she was pregnant but did not dare tell her family.
Asked whether the girl or her family would be allowed to keep the baby, Norhayati said this could not be determined as yet.
“I need to talk to her family and get the details. Only then will we be able to decide the next course of action,” she added.
The girl’s father is a truck driver while her mother works in a restaurant as a helper.
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