Johor deputy police chief Hoo Chuan Huat said the suspect, also a foreigner, was arrested at a condominium in the city within 24 hours of the incident.

“Police also seized several items believed to be related to the incident. Checks showed that the suspect had no previous criminal record, and a urine test returned negative results,” Berita Harian reported him as saying.

Hoo said police have obtained an order to remand the suspect for a week until March 18 to assist in investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Johor Bahru Selatan police chief Raub Selamat yesterday said the victim was believed to have been killed between 1.30am and 4.30am and that a male suspect had fled the scene after the stabbing.

He said the victim had 11 stab wounds on the chest, one on the neck, one on her right hand and one on her right arm.