A 39-year-old woman in Kedah, Malaysia, died after allegedly suffering 13 stabs wounds from her husband following an argument on Monday (Sept 14) night, reported Bernama on Tuesday.

The victim, identified as S. Sila, was taken to Kulim Hospital by family members and pronounced dead at 9.30pm, according to Kulim police chief Superintendent (Supt) Syamsul Sinring.

Her husband, a 43-year-old unemployed man, had turned himself in to the police that night and said he had stabbed his wife at their home, the New Straits Times (NST) reported.

He also surrendered a 20cm-long folding knife believed to have been used in the incident.

Supt Syamsul said the suspect admitted to stabbing the victim 13 times with the folding knife.

According to Supt Syamsul, the incident occurred in the master bedroom of the house occupied by the couple and their three-year-old child.

"Preliminary investigations found that the incident stemmed from an argument between the suspect and the victim, believed to have been triggered by jealousy," he said.

Police found traces of what they believe to be blood on the bedsheet, pillow, headboard and several items on the bed. A total of 11 samples were collected, reported Malaysian publication The Sun.

After the incident, the suspect had taken a bath and collected his child from a babysitter before handing the child to his sister in Penang, Supt Syamsul was quoted as saying.

The suspect also told his sister that he had stabbed his wife before surrendering, according to Bernama.

He was arrested at 9pm on Monday.

The victim's body was taken to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar for a post-mortem examination, and the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code, NST reported.

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helmy.saat@asiaone.com