The suspects, both aged 31, were arrested yesterday following the Labuan Hospital forensic pathologist’s conclusion on April 5.

The autopsy revealed signs of physical abuse based on injuries on the forehead, bruises on the left and right eyes, and arms of the deceased, identified as Rosnia Tanjung.

Labuan police chief Supt Adzhar Othman said the man, an air force staff, and his wife, a civil servant, had been remanded for seven days to facilitate investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

“We received a police report from the man on April 2 on the death of his Indonesian maid in his house’s toilet about 5 pm and we investigated the case as sudden death.

“However, after we sent the body for a post mortem, the forensic pathologist found there were bruises that could have been caused by long-term abuse and torture. Then we suspected foul play and reopened the case,” he said.

He said the man, an alleged drug offender who would be going on trial on April 25 for a charge under Section 15 (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, was handed over to police by the Labuan Air Force Provost Team at 10.35 am.

“His wife surrendered herself an hour later,” said Adzhar, adding that the maid had been working legally for the couple since August last year.

Adzhar said the case, the first ever recorded here, must be thoroughly investigated as it involved the image of the Malaysian government.

“We have given updated information on the case to the Indonesian Consulate,” he said.

The maid’s remains were brought back to her hometown in Kota Madya Tebing Tinggi Sumatera Utara, Indonesia, on April 9.

– BERNAMA