Acting Kota Kinabalu district police chief George Abdul Rakman said the couple, who were married just a few months ago, was alleged to have been involved in an argument over financial problems at about 11.30pm when the incident happened.

He said the 40-year-old wife had been boiling water on the stove when the argument took place.

The 41-year-old husband then picked up the kettle and splashed the hot water on his wife, he added.

“As a result of the incident, the victim suffered burns on her shoulder and left hand. The suspect then took a kitchen knife and stabbed himself in the stomach,” he told FMT today.

George said police investigations revealed that during the marriage, the man was often kicked and slapped by his wife when they argued about financial problems.

He said both the suspect and the victim were undergoing treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and were reported to be in stable condition.