JOHOR BARU: A 40-year-old taxi driver has been detained following the death of his five-year-old son from alleged abuse.

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

Johor Baru (North) OCPD Asst Comm Ruslan Hassan said the boy's parents rushed him to the hospital, claiming he was vomiting profusely.

"But on closer examination, the doctor discovered multiple injuries on the boy's body, believed to be due to abuse," he said.

ACP Ruslan said that the father had admitted to hitting the boy using a hard object the night before for being naughty.

"The father also said the boy slipped and fell while running from him at their home in Kempas," he said, adding that the man would be remanded today to facilitate investigations.

"A post-mortem will be conducted," he said, adding the case had been classified under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

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

At the mortuary, the boy's 50-year-old uncle, who wished not to be named, said he was shocked over the incident.

"My brother is not a violent person and he loves his children. I will miss my nephew. Although he was hyperactive, he was very lovable," he added.

The man said his brother and his family had just moved to the city from Kedah over a year ago.