An Indonesian domestic worker was charged in court on Thursday morning with the murder of socialite and philanthropist Nancy Gan Wan Geok.

Dewi Sukowati, 23, is alleged to have caused the death of her 69-year-old employer at her Victoria Park Road bungalow in Bukit Timah between 7.30am and 8.46am on Wednesday.

The mother of two, who was the ex-wife of former Hong Kong Legislative Council politician Hilton Cheong-leen, was found in the swimming pool of her home, dressed in her pyjamas. She had suffered head injuries.

The prosecution successfully applied for Dewi to be remanded at Changi Women's Prison for psychiatric assessment. She will be back in court on April 10.

Ms Gan was an accomplished pianist and a well-known porcelain artist who regularly donated her works to raise funds for charity.

Dewi, who is from central Java, had been working for Ms Gan for barely a week.

She is represented by Mohamed Muzammil, who was instructed by the Indonesian Embassy to act for her.