KOTA KINABALU, June 24, 2025 – The Kota Kinabalu High Court in Malaysia has handed down a 34-year prison sentence to Mohammad Ambree Yunos (44) and Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen Mohd Sulong (37). Both were found guilty of murdering Nur Afiyah Daeng Damin (28), an Indonesian domestic worker, at a condominium in Penampang in December 2021, according to Kompas.
Presiding Judge Datuk Dr. Lim Hock Leng stated that the murder was committed with joint intent and based on compelling evidence beyond reasonable doubt. The sentence for Ambree also includes 12 strokes of the cane, while Etiqah was exempted from caning due to her gender.
Facts and Context of the Verdict
- Incident period: Between December 8 and 11, 2021, at the Amber Tower unit in Penampang. The judicial process spanned nearly four years.
- Judge's remarks: The level of cruelty was deemed severe, including prolonged physical abuse of the victim.
This case has sparked public concern and calls for reform in the protection of domestic workers. It garnered significant attention from both the media and online communities in Malaysia and Indonesia, impacting perceptions regarding the safety and rights of domestic laborers.
The 34-year prison sentences serve as a clear message from the Malaysian judiciary that fatal violence against migrant workers will meet the harshest penalties. The public now awaits whether this verdict will pave the way for enhanced protection measures and stricter oversight over recruitment agencies and employers of foreign labor.
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