They had only been married for a year but were living apart for the past two months.

Zabedah Ali wanted a divorce. Her husband would hear none of it.

"If we cannot be together, then we should die together," her possessive husband said.

Those were the last words she heard from him before he pulled out an 18cm knife from the folds of his sarong and plunged it into her belly.

Zabedah, 73, bled to death outside her house in Kampung Kuala Sungai, Kubang Rotan in Alor Star, Kedah at about 1pm Monday.

Her 80-year old husband, tried to escape on foot but could not get far. The frail man was caught by villagers near the house and handed over to the police.

Zabedah's 80-year-old uncle said the old couple got married last year but had been staying separately for the past two months.

He said his niece wanted the man to divorce her and their case was pending at the Syariah Court.

"The man who had been staying in Kuala Kedah came to Zabedah's house on Sunday and yesterday to persuade her to remain married to him."

"I don't know the details of their marital problems but my niece has been married several times and had four children before she married him last year," he said.

Neighbours said Zabedah's husband had tried to stab her a second time but her 30-year-old son who was sitting nearby, rushed to her aid and managed to snatch the knife away from him.

They described Zabedah as a pleasant woman who had been staying at the house for more than 30 years.

Kota Setar OCPD Assistant Comm Abdul Ghafar Rajab said the case was being investigated for murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.