KOTA KINABALU: A newborn baby boy wrapped in a cloth was rescued by a passerby after he spotted the child left outside a house in Lahad Datu.

Lahad Datu district police chief Asst Comm Dzulbaharin Ismail said the abandoned baby was in stable condition after he was rushed to the Lahad Datu hospital following the discovery.

He said the baby was found left in front of an unnumbered house in Kampung Burung along Jalan Bakawali at about 3.06pm on Friday (July 18).

“The baby’s condition is reported to be stable,” he added.

He said investigations were underway to track down people responsible for abandoning the child.

He called on the public to inform Lahad Datu police of any information regarding the case.

The case is being investigated under Section 317 of the Penal Code for abandoning a baby with the intention of permanently deserting the baby.

In an unrelated case, ACP Dzulbaharin said a 24-year-old local man was arrested for suspected involvement with online gambling activities in the Lahad Datu Square area on Thursday (July 18).

He said police seized a smartphone containing a gambling application, in the investigation under Section 4B(a) of the Open Gambling Houses Act 1953.

Dzulbaharin reiterated that the police view seriously all forms of crime that threaten community safety, especially those involving social crimes such as infanticide and prostitution.

“The Lahad Datu police will continue to take firm action without compromise to ensure the safety and harmony of the local community,” he added.