Mohammad Ambree
KOTA KINABALU: The first accused in the murder of a maid claimed in his witness statement that the deceased was weak but was still able to walk, talk and care for herself when he left for a three-day holiday to Kundasang, Ranau with his family from Dec 11, 2021 to Dec 13, 2021.
Mohammad Ambree Bin Yunos @Unos, told the High Court that the maid, Nur Afiah Binti Daeng Naim, who was better known as “Piah” was in charge of looking after his twin children and was also in charge of cleaning the apartment.
“I did not expect her to die before I return to the apartment,” he said when he was crossed examined by his counsel, Datuk Ram Singh on Tuesday.
He added that upon his family’s return to their apartment located at Unit A-03-A, Floor 3, Amber Tower, Lido Avenue, Jalan Lintas Lido on 13 Dec 2021, he found Piah’s dead body in the toilet of her room.
“When and where did you and your family go for holiday at that time?” queried Ram.
Mohammad Ambree replied that from 11 Dec 2021 to 13 Dec 2021, he stayed at a resort in Hidden Hill, Kundasang, Ranau with his family and on 13 Dec 2021, they left for the apartment in the afternoon.
“Did you send any notice of alibi to the prosecution before this trial?” asked Ram.
“Yes, my counsel did so. I heard from the evidence of the investigating officer in court that she did say we were having holiday at a resort in Hidden Hill, Kundasang, Ranau. That was my alibi,” he said.
The accused also told the High Court, which was presided by judge Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng, that during his holiday, Piah was at their apartment and there was no communication between her and himself.
“Was your holiday done on purpose, so that she would suffer more that may cause her death?” Ram asked.
The first accused replied: “No, Etiqah and her family members had planned this vacation for quite some time. We had intended to bring her along, but with her condition, Etiqah decided not to bring her along.”
Etiqah, whose full name is Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen, is the second accused in the case and Mohammad Ambree’s former wife.
The first accused also said that Piah’s condition, prior to them leaving for their holiday trip, was weak, but she could still walk, talk and take care of herself.
“I did not expect her to die before I return to the apartment,” he told the court.
He also alleged that the deceased had a handphone, but said he did not know anything about it when asked if she had access to her handphone when they went for the holiday.
Mohammad Ambree also claimed that they usually left the apartment keys on the kitchen island and Piah was able to move around freely, when he was asked if the deceased was able to go out of the apartment.
The accused also said that after he found Piah’s body, he called up and met his sister and requested her to send him to the police station to lodge a police report.
When asked if the police investigated him after lodging the police report, he replied: “Yes, after lodging the police report, I went back to the apartment. At around 9pm, there were about 20 police officers who came to the apartment. Some of them went to Piah’s room.”
Ram then asked if he was arrested by the police at that time.
He replied: “I am not sure about the arrest, but there were so many police officers in the apartment. We were told to sit down in the apartment and to pack all our documents and make arrangements about the children. I sensed we would be arrested for investigation purposes when the police took both our handphones. At that point of time, I believe I was arrested as my movement in the apartment was restricted.”
He also alleged that the police were in the apartment from 9pm to about 2am the next day (14 Dec 2021) and he was handcuffed when they took him downstairs to the police car.
He claimed that when the police team were in the apartment, they asked him a lot of questions about the injuries on Piah’s body.
“But I told them that I did not do it. I myself could not believe that she would pass away in my absence,” he said.
Mohammad Ambree was also asked by Ram if he saw the scalding on the deceased’s skin when he saw her for the first time in the bathroom.
He replied: “Yes, I did. But, I could not believe that such condition on her would lead to her death.”
Ram then asked him if he knew what happened, to which he replied: “There had been fights between Etiqah and Piah consistently for quite some time when she did not follow proper instructions and received punishments. The initial fight started with Piah allegedly having ticks in her hair and Etiqah demanded to cut her hair but she protested aggressively, he said.
Mohammad Ambree also claimed that when the police team were in the apartment prior to handcuffing him and going to the Penampang district police headquarters, the police seized a few items such as PVC pipe and two wooden sticks.
He also alleged that he bought medical supplies such as antiseptic sprays, creams, cotton balls, gauze sponges and medical bandages, and others from the pharmacy to assist Piah on treating her wounds after he was asked by Ram if he provided any medical aid to the deceased.
“Why didn’t you assist Piah for proper treatment,” queried Ram.
“At first, I warned Etiqah not to do it again after the first fight, but fights went on again beyond my control because if I had sent Piah to the clinic, definitely Etiqah being an executive officer at Petronas, would be in trouble. Etiqah also told me not to send Piah to any clinic or hospital to treat her wounds due to her acts and conduct towards Piah. I merely followed Etiqah’s instructions,” he answered.
Mohammad Ambree is defended by Ram, while Etiqah is represented by counsel Datuk Seri Rakhbir Singh. Deputy Public Prosecutor Dacia Jane Romanus prosecuted.
The hearing continues on Wednesday.
