An Indonesian maid has been charged with robbing and helping murder her employer, the mother of a Malaysian politician, reports said today.

Zuraidah was charged yesterday after 74-year-old Mak Wan Ayob was found bound and dead in her home on Jan 3.

She denied helping kill Mak Wan, the mother of a local leader in the ruling United Malays National Organisation.

Zuraidah, 28, and fellow Indonesian and construction worker Khairul, 20, also allegedly robbed Mak Wan of jewellery. Both have only one name.

Claimed trial

"I did not commit anything. I understand. I claim trial to the charge," Zuraidah, from Riau in Sumatra, was quoted as saying in court by the Star daily newspaper.

Khairul has been charged separately for the robbery, while a third person wanted for Mak Wan's murder is at large, other media reports said.

Malaysia is one of Asia's largest importers of labour with foreign workers, legal and illegal, making up about 2.6 million of the country's 10.5 million workforce.