An Indonesian maid was charged in court with murder yesterday after an elderly woman was found dead in a Tampines flat on Monday.

Minah, 37, who goes by one name, is accused of killing Madam Tay Quee Lang in a fifth-floor flat at Block 276, Tampines Street 22 at around 2.10pm that day.

She is represented by lawyer Nasser Ismail, who was appointed by the Indonesian embassy.

The wheelchair-bound Madam Tay, 78, lived in the flat with her husband, Mr Tan Hee Seng, who is in his 70s.

Neighbours said the maid had been with the couple for about a month.

Shortly before Madam Tay was found dead, neighbours said they heard a scream from the flat.

Minah was the only other person in the unit besides Madam Tay.

Engineer Ashaari Hasan Basri, 28, who lives on the same floor, told The Straits Times on Monday that he called the police after hearing the screams.

Police said they received a call for assistance at 2.10pm and paramedics later pronounced Madam Tay dead at the scene.

Minah was seen leaving with police officers at about 6pm that day to assist with investigations and Madam Tay's body was taken away about an hour later.

Minah was placed under arrest on Tuesday.

She will be remanded for a psychiatric evaluation at Changi Women's Prison and will be back in court on March 8.

If convicted of murder, she will face the death penalty.