MELAKA: Tears flowed like a river as family members of murder victim Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi accompanied her in her final journey from the Melaka Hospital’s mortuary to a burial ground at Kampung Kubang Badak, Pasir Mas in Kelantan.
As this was happening, Mohd Fadzly Ariffadzillah, 36, an ex-teacher who was the victim’s acquaintance, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court with her murder.
At the hospital, as the van carrying the remains of the 34-year-old left the mortuary at 2.10pm yesterday, family members including children, all clad in black, were seen crying uncontrollably.
Alor Gajah OCPD Supt Ashari Abu Samah was at the hospital to assist the family members in the process of claiming the body.
Supt Ashari, when met outside the mortuary, said the process went smoothly and doctors took time to explain to the family members on the current situation as the body parts discovered were still incomplete.
Still in shock: Family members leaving Melaka Hospital’s mortuary for Istiqomah’s, burial in Pasir Mas, Kelantan. — RSN MURALI/The Star
“The family members accepted it as fate after the doctors’ explanation but Istiqomah’s husband, Mohd Yusof Mokhtar, 35, was too distraught and declined to see the remains of his wife when offered by the doctors,” he said.
The police are still investigating the case and also trying to recover other body parts as well as the weapon used in the crime.
At the courthouse yesterday, Mohd Fadzly was produced before magistrate Dr Teo Shu Yee.
According to the charge sheet, he murdered Istiqomah at the roadside along Kampung Tanjung Rimau, Pulau Sebang here between Dec 26 and Dec 31, 2023.
No plea was recorded from Mohd Fadzly.
Istiqomah, a teacher at SK Kota Masai 3, Johor, was reported missing after she failed to return home from work on Dec 26.
Her car was found in the parking lot of a supermarket in Pasir Gudang the next day.
On Dec 31, the decapitated body of a woman was discovered in a rubbish bin, left along the Alor Gajah-Tampin road, near Kampung Tanjung Rimau in Pulau Sebang in Alor Gajah, here.
Police confirmed the remains belonged to Istiqomah through DNA tests conducted by Bukit Aman on Aug 2.
Based on the new lead, Melaka police embarked on an in-depth investigation together with their counterparts in Johor before arresting a married couple, aged 36 and 37, in Chemor, Perak, on Aug 5.
The male suspect led to the discovery of more body parts about 6km from where the victim’s body was found.
The suspect’s wife was released on police bail after it was found that she had no connection with the case.
Istiqomah, a mother of three, was a college mate of the accused and was believed to be involved in a business deal with him.
