YAN (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A padi farmer had a shock when he found a newborn baby girl inside a washing machine.

Mr Zainol Hamid, 71, had been watching football on television at his house in Kampung Ulu Dulang and had to use the bathroom.

"I went to the bathroom behind my room and suddenly, I heard a baby crying," he said.

"I checked around and traced the cry to the washing machine.

"When I looked into the tub of the washing machine, I saw the baby, with the umbilical cord still attached, inside."

Mr Zainol said someone could have entered his house through the back door, which was closed but not locked.

"The front door of my house was locked but I only lock the back door when I go to bed.

"My nephew lodged a police report on the incident and the baby has been taken to the Yan Hospital," he added.

Yan OCPD Deputy Superintendent Muhamad Halim Yatim confirmed that a healthy baby girl had been found inside the washing machine.

"We are now tracing the mother."