SEREMBAN: Strangulation has been identified as the cause of death of the six-year-old boy whose body was found buried in Rompin.

Negri Sembilan police chief Dep Comm Datuk Ahmad Dzafffir Mohd Yussof said the post-mortem examination was conducted at Rembau Hospital.

"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," he said on Tuesday (July 29).

DCP Ahmad Dzaffir said the case is being probed under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder as well as under the Child Act 2001.

Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm M. Kumarasan had said the boy's father had lodged a report on the child's disappearance on July 24, who claimed that his son went missing near a coffee shop in Taman Bukit Indah.

The father was later arrested as a suspect.

Earlier on Tuesday, Jempol police chief Supt Norhisham Mustapar said police seized a hoe believed to have been used to bury the body.

The body was found buried near a railway line, far away from residential areas.

Supt Norhisham said the suspect was still under custody of Johor police where he is under remand till July 31.

"We will question him further once the suspect is brought back here," he said.