JOHOR BARU: A five-year-old boy, believed to be a victim of abuse, died while receiving treatment at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital here.

The boy, the youngest of three siblings, died at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital, at about 3am Sunday.

Johor Baru (North) OCPD Asst Comm Ruslan Hassan said the victim was sent to the hospital after the parents claimed the boy was vomiting profusely.

He explained that hospital officials examined the body and discovered multiple injuries, suspected to be signs of abuse.

"We believe the boy could have been abused," he said, adding that the victim's father had lodged a report at the Skudai police station soon after the death.

ACP Ruslan said the 40-year-old father, who is a taxi driver, claimed that he had hit the boy using a hard object the night before.

"The father said he hit the boy because he was naughty.

"He also claimed that the boy had slipped as he was running from him at their home in Kempas," he said.

ACP Ruslan said police had since detained the father for questioning to help in investigations.

"A post-mortem will be conducted today at the same hospital.

"We have not determined the cause of death," he said.

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

Is this article useful to you?