JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Several dismembered body parts belonging to an infant were found inside a sewage plant in that Kempas Permas public housing area of Johor Baru, Malaysia.

Workers cleaning a waste trap at a sewerage plant in the area were shocked to find that pieces of meat stuck to it were those of an infant, chopped up into 15 parts. The workers immediately informed their supervisor, who then called the police.

The police officer in charge of Johor Baru (North) district, Asst Comm Mohd Khamsani Abdul Rahman, said the police were notified about the gory find on Sunday. He added that the parts had been sent to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital for a post-mortem.

"So far, we have recovered about 15 parts. Initial investigations showed that they belong to an infant.

"However, we have yet to find the infant's head," he said, adding that the police are investigating the case.

The body of the baby, whose identity or sex has yet to be determined, was also missing the abdomen.

The police believe that the baby could have died during birth and its body chopped up and dumped into the sewerage to conceal the birth.

Factory worker Ismail Daud, 47, said he was having tea at a nearby stall when he saw police cars rushing towards the plant.

Residents, he said, initially thought that it might be a thief but were shocked to hear that body parts had been found.

"I have lived in these flats for seven years and, sadly, this is the second time that such an incident has happened," he said, adding that last year, a newborn baby was found abandoned near a dump site.

Housewife Khairul Husna Abdul Halim, 36, said she heard of the horrific discovery from her neighbours.

"I am angry over what has happened to this infant. Only a monster will do something like this," she said.

Mr Khamsani said the sewerage plant was connected by pipe to the public housing area, which has 1,288 units.

"We will be knocking on each door to find who is responsible," he vowed.