After years of waiting, justice has finally arrived for Nur Afiyah.
In a case that exposed horrifying abuse and a total disregard for human life, her employers, once free on bail, now face the consequences of their cruelty.
On June 20, 2025, the Kota Kinabalu High Court sentenced Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen Mohd Sulong, a former MasterChef Malaysia finalist, and her ex-husband, Mohammad Ambree Yunos @ Unos, to 34 years in prison for the murder of their Indonesian domestic helper, Nur Afiyah Daeng Damin.
Here’s a full breakdown of how the case unfolded, from the crime to the courtroom.
December 8–11, 2021: The crime
It all began at the couple’s residence at Amber Tower, Lido Avenue, Penampang, where 28-year-old Nur Afiyah was found dead.
Initially, the circumstances were unclear. However, investigators soon suspected foul play.
The cause of death was later confirmed to be intentional injuries inflicted over time, pointing to something far more sinister than what was first reported.
December 14, 2021: Arrest
Just days after her death, authorities arrested Etiqah and Ambree. The couple had claimed they found Nur Afiyah unconscious after returning from a holiday in Kundasang and filed a police report.
However, this version of events quickly unraveled. Forensic findings contradicted their story, revealing injuries that could not have been accidental.
December 16, 2021: Autopsy & forensic evidence
The turning point came with the post-mortem. Dr. Norhayati Jaffar, a forensic odontologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, uncovered evidence of severe physical assault, particularly focused around the mouth.
Among the most disturbing findings:
- Eight soft tissue injuries inside the mouth
- Trauma to six front teeth, including the left central and lateral incisors, which showed signs of being forcibly gripped, as if someone had tried to extract them with pliers
- The pain level was described as “10 out of 10,” especially given the lack of anesthesia
- The injuries were fresh, suggesting they occurred close to the time of death
These findings painted a gruesome picture of intentional torture, not a one-time assault.
December 29, 2021 – November 17, 2022: Legal proceedings begin
With mounting evidence, the case was officially brought to court on December 29, 2021. By November 17, 2022, both Ambree and Etiqah claimed trial under Section 302 of the Penal Code, read with Section 34, which involves common intention.
This began a long legal battle that would last more than two years.
Digital evidence & courtroom developments
As the trial progressed, the prosecution introduced crucial digital forensic evidence: videos and photos recovered from the couple’s mobile phones.
These weren’t just records. They were disturbing documentation of the abuse, showing how Nur Afiyah was repeatedly tormented and how the accused seemed intent on preserving her suffering. This digital trail helped confirm:
- The identity and cause of death
- That the injuries were deliberately inflicted
- That both accused had acted together with intent, fulfilling the criteria of common intention under Section 300(c)
June 20, 2025: Conviction & sentencing
Finally, the verdict was in.
High Court Judge Datuk Dr. Lim Hock Leng found both guilty and sentenced them to 34 years in prison.
- Ambree received 12 strokes of the cane
- Etiqah was exempted from caning under Section 289 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which protects women from corporal punishment
Inside the courtroom, Ambree remained calm, while Etiqah bowed her head and covered her face.
Despite emotional pleas for leniency, the judge highlighted the “cruelty suffered by the deceased” and the systematic, prolonged nature of the abuse.
There was no room for reduced sentencing.
DPP pushes for death penalty
Even though the mandatory death penalty was abolished in 2023, Deputy Public Prosecutor Dacia Jane Romanus urged the court to impose it nonetheless, calling the case a “prolonged campaign of cruelty.”
She said:
The deceased left her home during a global pandemic seeking honest work, only to face daily torment. Her employers were supposed to offer her shelter, safety and food. Instead, they robbed her of her life.”
If the court chose not to impose the death sentence, Dacia argued that 40 years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes should be the minimum, reported NST.
2022–2025: Out on bail before justice was served
During proceedings, Etiqah was initially denied bail, but the Court of Appeal later granted it due to mental health concerns and her responsibility for autistic twin children.
Both accused remained out on court bail until sentencing.
They were represented by:
- Datuk Ram Singh (for Ambree)
- Datuk Seri Rakhbir Singh (for Etiqah)
Quick timeline recap:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec 8–11, 2021 | Crime occurred at Amber Tower |
| Dec 14, 2021 | Arrest |
| Dec 16, 2021 | Forensic autopsy performed |
| Dec 29, 2021 | Case first brought to court |
| Nov 17, 2022 | Couple claimed trial |
| June 20, 2025 | Sentencing (34 years, 12 strokes for Ambree) |
