The death of an 11-month-old baby believed to have been abused and raped by her caretaker's husband, has raised the ire of netizens across the country.

The gruesome act attracted strong condemnation and criticism from netizens after the news of Nur Muazara Ulfa Muhammad Zainal's death went viral on Facebook and WhatsApp.

She died at the Serdang Hospital on Friday morning, two days after she was admitted there, in critical condition.

The majority also questioned what had become of the Malaysian society, with so many incidents of child abuse, and worse, sexual abuses which lead to death.

Some have even urged the government to reconsider its intention to abolish the death sentence to deal with such cases.

"The government should not abolish the death sentence as now there are many cruel people around. (Imagine) what would happen it was repealed," said a Facebook user Ina Usop.

A netizen from Kota Kinabalu, Steve Roger said that drug addicts who had past criminal records in cases like this should undergo life-long prison sentences.

"It is time for hardcore drug addicts to be sentenced to life imprisonment, just like others who have committed serious crimes. Moreover, those who have caused physical harm like this," he said in a Facebook comment.

Meanwhile, others called for the photos of the caretaker and her husband, who were currently under remand until Tuesday, to be released to the public.

"Please reveal their (suspects) faces and names to avoid others from sending their children to them," said Nnur Mohamad.

There were also calls for the government to enact strict laws to govern daycare services.

Meanwhile, for the mother who conceived and gave birth to the innocent baby, the whole episode has become a nightmare which will haunt her for the rest of her life.

"As long as Zara's (the baby) case is not settled, as long as the offender is not punished, I will not feel calm," said Noraihan Ab Aziz, 22.

Noraihan, who works as a factory operator in Bandar Baru Bangi, said she never expected such a bleak tragedy would befall her family, leaving deep emotional scars in their lives.

"My heart ached when I looked at Zara's heart-wrenching condition, I leave it to the police to investigate and take appropriate action against the perpetrator," she said when contacted by Bernama.

Noraihan, her husband Muhammad Zainal Abduk Rahaman, 27, and their son, Muhamad Alif Zamani, four, are now in their hometown of Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, where they buried Zara yesterday.

Noraihan had earlier expressed her grief on Facebook, posting the status: "You're in peace there my dear... Wait for mother in heaven..."

She also shared several photos of her with Zara, including the time she being treated in hospital, as well as those of the baby's funeral.

Recalling the grim incident, Noraihan said she was contacted by the Serdang Hospital on Wednesday evening, informing her that the baby was in critical condition after being brought there by the caretaker and her husband.

"The caretaker had called me five times, but my phone was out of coverage at the time.

"Upon arriving at the hospital, I found the caretaker feeling very sorry, but her husband was just calm as if nothing had happened," she said.

According to Noraihan, she came to know the babysitter two months ago, when she uploaded a status on Facebook looking for a caretaker, and the latter contacted her, offering the daycare service.

"I went to see her, and from the way she spoke to me, I saw nothing suspicious. However, at the time, the babysitter's husband and 20-month-old son were not at home," she said.

Realising the fact that nothing can bring her daughter back now, she hopes that her ordeal can serve as a lesson to other parents, so that they are more careful in choosing a childcare centre.

- Bernama