Strangulation murder of 6-year-old boy stuns Malaysia

The father of the boy was arrested after the victim’s body was discovered in a shallow grave by a roadside in Pahang

A six-year-old boy in Malaysia whose body was found buried in a shallow grave by a roadside in a district in Pahang last week died after being strangled, police said on Wednesday.

The boy was reported missing from his home in Iskandar Puteri, Johor – more than 200km away – on July 24. His body was discovered two days later, following the arrest of his 36-year-old father.

His death has shocked Malaysians, with the arrest of his father over the alleged murder adding grim interest to the case.

Citing autopsy reports by the forensic department at the Rembau Hospital, Negeri Sembilan state police chief Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof confirmed the cause of death to the press.

“The cause of death is due to strangulation using cable ties. The medical team estimates that the victim died between 9am and 11am on July 23,” Ahmad Dzaffir said.

The victim was buried by a quiet road near a railway line in rural Rompin, surrounded by palm oil plantations and far from residential homes.

Ahmad Dzaffir said the suspect remained in the custody of Johor police, and further investigations would include witness statements.

“We will call witnesses, especially the victim’s mother,” he said.

The case is being investigated as murder, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment with caning. The identities of the victim and his parents cannot be revealed under the Child Act

Initially being filed under domestic abuse, the case was reclassified upon the discovery of the victim’s remains.

A separate case over the death of a six-year-old autistic boy in Selangor – found dead by a river bank in December 2023 – took a twist recently after the victim’s father was acquitted of a charge of child negligence while the mother was ordered to enter her defence.

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That case had also been classified as homicide, with a forensic expert testifying that the boy died from strangulation. However, prosecutors did not pursue murder charges against the parents, citing insufficient evidence.