Kajang district police chief Naazron Yusof said the suspects, including two women, aged between 28 and 45, were arrested separately between 1pm and 6.30pm in Bandar Teknologi and Semenyih.

He said police seized a knife and clothing from one of the male suspects.

Naazron said police were informed by a 52-year-old man at about 1.10pm that the 40-year-old victim had been found covered in blood in her room.

“Police found the victim, who was confirmed dead, with 12 stab wounds across her body, wrapped in a mattress inside the rented room,” he said in a statement.

He said a person renting another room in the same house reported hearing a commotion and the woman shouting for help before a man was seen fleeing the building holding a knife.

“The motive behind the incident is believed to be jealousy,” he said, adding that police will apply for a remand order against the suspects today.