Johor police chief Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said they believed the duo’s motive was not to kidnap the child, but rather to just steal the car, a BMW 740i.

“In this case, the boy was released several hours later (at a playground), and there was no demand for ransom from the two men.

“We believe they wanted the car, but the car was also later abandoned (near Skudai). This could be because vehicles now are equipped with technology such as the push start button, where if you don’t have the key, you can’t turn on the engine,” he told reporters after the Johor police contingent’s monthly assembly here today.

Wan Ahmad Najmuddin said the forensic team had inspected the car, and found only a minor dent at the rear of the vehicle.

He advised the public to be cautious and not to leave their car engine running, with children inside unattended.

On Saturday, police received a report at 4.59pm on two unidentified men stealing a car with a child inside in Jalan Beringin, Taman Melodies.

The child was later abandoned at a playground in Teluk Danga and members of the public found him about midnight the same day.

Police recovered the car two days later (Monday) in Jalan Impian Emas 5/1, Taman Impian Emas, near Skudai and it is also believed to have been abandoned by the two men.