KOTA KINABALU: A couple has been charged with the murder of their 28-year-old maid at an apartment in Lido near here.

       No plea was recorded from Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen Mohd Sulong, 33 – who made it to the MasterChef Malaysia 2012 final – and her husband, Mohammad Ambree Yunos @ Unos, 40, when the charges were read before Magistrate Jessica Ombou Kakayun on Wednesday (Dec 29).

       The couple is accused of murdering Nur Afiyah Daeng Damin, between Dec 10 and 13 this year in an apartment in Amber Tower in Lido Avenue, Penampang.

       The murder charge was framed under Section 302 which is non-bailable and carries the death penalty upon conviction.

       Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen and Mohammad Ambree, who have three children, all below the age of three, were represented separately.

       Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen, an engineer, was represented by Datuk Seri Rakhbir Singh while Mohammad Ambree, a contractor, was represented by Ram Singh and Kimberly Ye.

       The Magistrate's Court ordered the accused to be remanded and fixed Feb 10 for next mention.

       Rakhbir had earlier appealed for bail for his client, claiming she was infirm.

       He further argued that she had to care for very young children and was breastfeeding as well.

       The application, however, was turned down by the court.

       The couple was arrested on Dec 14 after lodging a police report claiming that they found Nur Afiyah on the floor of their apartment upon returning from a holiday in Kundasang, about 80km from here.