By Farik Zolkepli

JOHOR BARU, Malaysia - An eight-year-old boy, a Thailand national believed to be a victim of abuse, was found dead at his home in an apartment in Tampoi.

Siwakorn Sukuntha's body was discovered at about 3.20pm on Saturday with several marks on his body, hands, legs and head.

Police have since detained the victim's 30-year-old mother, also a Thai national, and his 31-year-old Singaporean stepfather to assist in investigations. They are under remand until Jan 3.

Johor Baru (North) deputy OCPD Supt Mohd Akhir Ishak said that neighbours heard a commotion coming from the victim's home, and had alerted the police.

"We discovered the body in a room at the back of the apartment with multiple injuries. We believe the boy died at 2pm and we are still ascertaining the cause of death," he said, adding that the body has been sent to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital for post-mortem.

Supt Mohd Akhir said initial investigations indicate the boy may have been abused with a feather duster.

He said the stepfather had been working as a factory operator in Singapore before he was retrenched recently.

The couple, who had been renting the apartment unit, do not have permanent resident status but had proper travelling documents, he said.