SEREMBAN: Handicapped youth Muhammad Firdaus Dullah, 15, who was found in a severely malnourished state in the Taman Semarak Flats, Nilai, on June 21, was discharged from Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban Hospital (HTJS) at 9.40am today.

HJTS released the youth into the care of Negri Sembilan Social Welfare Department (JKM) and he would be placed at the Taman Sinar Harapan Tunku Ampuan Najihah Negeri Sembilan, an institution for the disabled, through a temporary court order.

Negri JKM director Abdullah Hanapi said after discharge Firdaus was taken to the Seremban Magistrate Court where JKM will make the application for the order.

“We will apply for a one month custodial and protection order under Child Act 2001.

“During that period our officers will prepare a report on Firdaus and if during that no fit families are found then he would be permanently placed under JKM care,” he said outside HTJS today.

Abdullah said so far JKM has not been able to contact families member who are willing to be his caretaker.

“Nobody has come forward and our attempt to find his parents’ families members also proved futile,” he said.

Since his admission over a month ago, Firdaus have made good progress and gained 8kg in weight compared to 14 kg when he was found in an emaciated state, in a dirty room and covered in faeces by Negri Sembilan Immigration personnel while on a 6P operations at the flats.

-NST