PONTIAN, MALAYSIA - A 22-year-old Vietnamese woman was arrested after she abandoned her dead baby in a box at a factory hostel.

The factory worker admitted that she did not feed the baby girl from the day she was born on Thursday.

The police were alerted when the woman's co-worker discovered the dead baby at 8.20am at the hostel for factory workers in Pekan Nenas.

Several witnesses claimed that they saw the woman abandoning the baby in the box.

Pontian OCPD Supt Zahaliman Jamin said the woman was detained shortly after the baby was discovered.

"She admitted to police that the baby had not eaten since she was born. The baby died yesterday," he added.

Police said the case is being investigated under Section 318 of the Penal Code for concealing a birth of a baby.

Another dead baby was also discovered in a box with its umbilical cord still intact near a clinic in Benut, near here.

A nurse discovered the baby boy at 12.30pm near the stairs leading to the clinic on Oct 12 with a note asking for the baby to be buried.

Supt Zahaliman said police believed that the baby, who was two-month pre-mature, was stillborn.

"We are exploring all angles in the investigation. It is very unfortunate that this has happened as the babies are innocent," he said.

Supt Zahaliman urged anyone with information to contact the police hotline at 07-221 2999 or the nearest police station.