A foetus with the umbilical cord intact was found in a sewage treatment plant in Taman Desa Wangsa, Permatang Damar Laut near here Sunday.

Southwest district police chief Supt Lai Fah Hin said the foetus, believed to be five months old was found by a cleaner of the sewage plant at about 5.30pm.

"The worker discovered an object which resembled a baby while carrying out the cleaning work before pulling and lifting it up for a closer look.

"Upon lifting the object, he found it was a foetus with its umbilical cord still attached and immediately called the police," he said.

He said a police team was sent to the location to investigate and the foetus had been sent to the Penang Hospital.