37-year-old threatened to kill his domestic helper after she rejected his romantic advances

A Singaporean man who developed feelings for his family’s domestic helper was sentenced to 40 days in jail after threatening her life with a kitchen knife. The disturbing incident, which unfolded in January 2024, highlights the potential dangers of blurred employer-employee boundaries within domestic households.

Obsession Turns Threatening

Muhammad Khairulnaim Rosli, 37, began harboring romantic feelings for his domestic helper just three months after she started working for his household in September 2023. When she rejected his advances and blocked him on social media, he confessed his feelings to his wife. The confession led to further breakdown at home, with his wife requesting a divorce on January 1, 2024.

Tensions escalated when Khairulnaim tried to access the helper’s private messages with her husband on January 12. He attempted to photograph her husband’s number from her WhatsApp but was caught and confronted. The confrontation culminated later that evening in a shocking act of aggression.

The Day of the Incident

That afternoon, after returning home with his two young daughters, Khairulnaim spotted the helper’s phone unlocked. His attempt to extract her husband’s contact information was thwarted. When questioned by the helper, he responded with aggression, kicking a door multiple times.

After speaking with his wife over the phone—where he falsely accused the helper of neglecting the children’s meals—Khairulnaim took a nap. Upon waking, overwhelmed by anger and frustration, he took a 16cm-bladed knife from the kitchen and approached the helper.

Knife Threat and Escape

At around 6:03pm, holding the knife at hip level, he told the helper he wanted to kill her. The threat left the victim fearing for her life. Fortunately, Khairulnaim’s wife returned home moments later, allowing the helper to flee the residence. A passer-by who found her crying alerted police.

Khairulnaim was arrested that same night at 8:55pm. The helper was unharmed physically, but visibly shaken by the ordeal. The case quickly progressed through Singapore’s court system.

Court Proceedings and Sentence

On June 16, 2025, Khairulnaim pleaded guilty to one count of criminal intimidation. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ho May Kim urged a sentence of five-and-a-half to seven weeks, citing his use of a knife and position of authority. However, the court considered his clean record, lack of prolonged threat, and the fact that the victim was not injured.

He was ultimately sentenced to 40 days in jail—a warning that emotional entanglements between domestic workers and employers can spiral dangerously if not managed with boundaries and respect.

This case underscores the importance of clearly defined roles and protections for domestic workers, particularly in close-knit family environments. It raises critical concerns for both Indonesian domestic helpers and Singaporean households—highlighting the urgent need for ethical conduct, proper grievance channels, and awareness about power imbalances in domestic employment.

Sources: CNA (2025) , Mothership (2025)

Keywords: Singapore Domestic Helper, Knife Threat, Criminal Intimidation, Domestic Abuse, Court Sentencing, Muhammad Khairulnaim