Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen, a MasterChef Malaysia Finalist, and Her Husband Sentenced to 34 Years in Prison for the Murder of Their Maid

Kapanlagi.com - Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen Sulang, a former finalist of MasterChef Malaysia, has finally received a court ruling. She was sentenced to 34 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering her maid, Nur Afiyah Daeng Damin, who was between 26 and 28 years old.

This tragic event occurred between December 8 and 11, 2021, at Amber Tower, Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia. Etiqah, along with her ex-husband, Mohammad Ambree Yunos, committed abuse that led to Nur Afiyah's death.

Both were charged under Article 302 of the Malaysian Penal Code. Although they faced the death penalty, they were only sentenced to 34 years in prison.

1. Murder Case Details

YouTube/Vivi Matahari

This case emerged after it was revealed that Nur Afiyah, a descendant of Bulukumba, South Sulawesi, suffered torture leading to her death in 2021. The abuse that Nur Afiyah experienced as a domestic helper occurred routinely and systematically.

The couple (Etiqah & husband) who were on vacation in Kundasang found Nur Afiyah's body on the apartment floor when they returned from their holiday. They reported the incident to the authorities. However, this couple was arrested by the Malaysian police after inconsistencies were found and the report of the body discovery was proven false.

2. Punishment Received

The trial was held at the High Court in Kota Kinabalu. Etiqah and Ambree were sentenced to 34 years in prison. Mohammad Ambree was also given an additional sentence of 12 lashes, while Etiqah was exempted from this punishment due to her gender. The verdict was delivered after the court stated there was no doubt about the evidence implicating both of them.

3. Court Decision

YouTube/Vivi Matahari

It was revealed that the victim suffered severe violence, including burns all over her body and the condition of the corpse was very horrific. At that time, Nur Afiyah was experiencing a salary shortage and was prevented by her employer from returning to Indonesia. This added to the suffering she experienced while working as a domestic worker.

Before her death, the victim had been a Malaysian citizen. The court ruling stated that the injuries sustained by Nur Afiyah were the result of violence that was consciously and deliberately inflicted by both defendants.

4. The Need for Protection of Domestic Workers

This case highlights the importance of protection for domestic workers, especially those from abroad. It is hoped that this case will raise public awareness about the need for legal protection for domestic workers. Support from the government and society is greatly needed.

5. Who is Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen and what is her connection to the victim?

Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen is a finalist of MasterChef Malaysia in 2012. She is known as a housewife who is active on social media and has two children.

The victim, Nur Afiah Daeng Damin, was a domestic helper working in the home of Etiqah and her husband, Askari Kamarudin, in Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia. Nur Afiah is believed to have suffered severe abuse while working, and was later found dead with serious injuries in her employer's apartment.

6. What is the chronology of the murder of this domestic helper from Sulawesi in Malaysia?

The murder is believed to have occurred between December 10 and 13, 2021, while Etiqah and her husband were on vacation in Kundasang. The victim was found lifeless in a horrific condition in their apartment unit at Amber Tower, Penampang.

The employers initially filed a false report stating that the victim died from an accident, but the autopsy results showed signs of severe abuse, including burn wounds. The couple was eventually arrested and charged under Section 302 of the Malaysian Penal Code, which allows for the death penalty.

7. What legal steps have been taken against Etiqah and her husband?

After the discovery of the body, Etiqah and her husband were arrested on December 14, 2021. They were briefly released on bail considering their young children. However, the case was reopened and they were charged with murder. The legal process was slow due to additional investigations and requests from the victim's family in Indonesia for justice.

(kpl/fbi)