Malaysian police have detained a woman after 11 pieces of a man's body were found stuffed into a refrigerator, state media said today.

Bernama news agency said the woman is believed to be the victim's wife.

She was taken in for interrogation on Monday afternoon, Bernama news agency quoted Ku Chin Wah, the criminal investigation department chief, as saying.

Reports said a man who had bought a luxury apartment in suburban Kuala Lumpur made the discovery on Sunday after noticing a strong stench.

"They found the body in a refrigerator which was sealed with masking tape," Ku was quoted as saying by Monday's edition of The Star newspaper.