JOHOR BARU, Feb 10 — Police are still in the preliminary investigating stages over the death of a baby during a botched home childbirth at a house in Pulai here last Sunday.

Johor police chief Datuk Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd said the case is still in the early stages and investigators will look at several aspects of the case including the roles of the newborn’s mother and the doula (birth assistant).

"Investigators will look into several areas to see if there is a case or any related criminal element.

"In addition, police will also separately investigate the Facebook accusations that the doula was responsible for the newborn baby’s death,” he said when contacted by Malay Mail.

Mohd Khalil also confirmed that police have not arrested any of the individuals related to the case.

Earlier, after a media conference at the Johor police contingent headquarters, Mohd Khalil confirmed that the doula has lodged a police report at the Johor Baru South police station on Thursday over accusations against her.

He added that the newborn’s parents also lodged a report on the death of the baby, but did not name any party as being responsible.

The home birth was allegedly supervised by the doula and the baby is believed to have died of post-birth complications.

The case has since gone viral, drawing the attention of many social media users — many of whom lashed out by leaving comments online blaming the doula and claiming she was not medically trained to handle home childbirths.

A doula is a non-medical birth assistant and usually acts as a companion to the woman before, during and after childbirth to give physical and emotional support.

Yesterday, following the issue, Malaysian Medical Mythbusters in their Facebook page penned an "open letter” to the Sultan and Queen of Johor urging the royal family to look into the issue.