TAWAU: A 24-year-old woman who caused the death of her new-born at the Tawau Hospital, last year, was jailed 15 years by the Session Court.
Mazidah Minggo pleaded guilty before Session Court Judge Rosli Ahmad to committing infanticide inside the female public toilet at the Emergency and Trauma Department of the hospital at 7.10am on Oct. 13, 2023.
The offence under Section 309 B of the Penal Code carries jail up to 20 years and fine, on conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Suhaimi Suriana applied for a heavier sentence to be imposed on Mazidah as the offense was serious and based on public interest.
Suhaimi said the baby boy was Mazidah’s biological child who should have been cared for and loved. He said the case also received extensive media coverage.
Unrepresented, Mazidah requested leniency saying she did not realise she was pregnant and was worried that her boyfriend would not take responsibility.
The court ordered Mazidah to serve the sentence from the date of her arrest which is on Oct. 19, 2023.
