LABUAN: An eight-year-old boy was found dead inside an abandoned car at an industrial area in Kampung Muslim here on Saturday morning (Nov 22).
Labuan police chief Supt Mohd Hamizi Halim said they received information about the discovery at about 9.10am. A mechanic noticed a foul smell while trying to move a sedan that had been left at a nearby workshop since June 2025.
"The mechanic detected the foul smell at about 8.45am before discovering the remains," he said in a statement to Bernama on Saturday.
A medical team arrived at 10.26am and confirmed the death. The body was later taken to the Labuan Hospital Forensic Unit for a post-mortem examination.
Mohd Hamizi identified the deceased as Budin Jimsalim, a Bajau boy with no personal identification documents.
He said the cause of death has yet to be determined pending the autopsy results.
"Police are urging members of the public with information about the incident to come forward and assist in the investigation.
“At this point, no criminal elements have been detected, but the Rancha-Rancha Police Station investigation officers are carrying out a thorough investigation," he said.
He added that police were also gathering witness statements and reviewing nearby CCTV recordings.
The case is being investigated as sudden death (SDR).
Mohd Hamizi also reminded the public, especially parents and guardians, to be more vigilant over the movements of children under their care, particularly those with special needs or who tend to leave home without supervision. – Bernama
