An Indonesian maid was charged on Saturday with murdering her 77-year-old female employer.

The 26-year-old maid, known as Yati, allegedly murdered Madam Aandi Abdul Rahman Rasheeda Begam on Tuesday between 12.05am and 11.33am in her flat in Serangoon North Avenue 4.

The Straits Times understands that Madam Aandi's family thought she had died of natural causes, and it was only after police investigations that the case was classified as murder. Indonesian Embassy counsellor Sukmo Yuwono told The Sunday Times that Yati was arrested on Friday.

When The Sunday Times visited Madam Aandi's home, her family members said they were not aware that the maid has been charged. Neighbours said Madam Aandi, who used a wheel-chair, had been living in the executive flat for close to 20 years. She is said to have shared the home with her son, his wife, their three children and the maid. A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he saw an ambulance at Madam Aandi's block on Tuesday morning but there were no police cars.