Barat Daya police chief Kamarul Rizal Jenal said information about the grisly find was received at about 6pm.

“Preliminary investigations at the scene revealed that the body had probably drifted with the current before washing up on the coastline,” he said.

The body has been sent to the Penang Hospital for an autopsy and the case is being investigated for the criminal offence of concealment of birth by secret disposal of a child’s body.

He urged those with information regarding the case to contact the police or the nearest police station to assist in the investigation.