SEREMBAN: Four siblings, including a seven-month-old baby, were discovered abandoned for three days at a house in Ampangan here, yesterday.
During the discovery, the children were found using a worn-out carpet as bedding, with the youngest sibling being looked after by the 7-year-old elder brother.
It is understood that the mother of the children had left the house on Dec 1 and did not return, while the father is currently in police custody.
State Social Welfare Department director Rosnah Sardi said the children's parents were of Rohingya origin and have a history of moving around.
"We received complaints from several neighbours at around 9.40pm yesterday regarding the neglected condition of three children and the baby.
"The residents took them in, placing them at a neighbour's residence and providing them with food. When we took custody, the children were in good condition," she said in a statement today.
She added that social welfare officers conducted an on-site investigation and contacted UNHCR due to the involvement of Rohingya refugees protected by UNHCR.
"The investigation revealed that their mother was believed to have left the house on Dec 1 and did not return. The father is in police custody and will be released today.
"The children will be placed in a safe location before being handed over to their biological father under the supervision of UNHCR," she said.
She added that a police report had been filed on this incident and investigations will proceed under Section 17 (1)(d) of the Child Act 2001 (Amendment 2016).