PASIR MAS: The family, especially the children of the late Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi who are still schooling, will be given psychosocial support, says Fadhlina Sidek.
The Education Minister said the ministry is committed to providing psychosocial support and counselling for the family.
“We hope that this support is given continuously and from that aspect, I have asked the director-general to see to the needs of the children, who are still in school.
“I express my condolences and have delivered donations to the family, including a donation from Yayasan Guru Tun Hussein Onn (YGTHO),” she said.
The minister said this to reporters after visiting the family of the late Istiqomah, 33, at their residence in Kampung Kubang Badak here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Fadhlina said besides YGTHO’s contribution, the ministry is also looking at other ways to help, including providing pension to the family, and looking into the children’s welfare.
“Indeed, this incident has a heartbreaking effect. Not to mention Cikgu Istiqomah was a dedicated teacher and committed as an educator.
“She had long served as an educator in primary schools in Johor in the subject of Design and Technology.
“She was committed to her work,” Fadhlina said.
Meanwhile, the family expressed gratitude for the smooth proceedings of Istiqomah’s funeral and hoped that those responsible for her murder would be brought to justice.
Ahmad Rozi Latimin, the 64-year-old father, wants the perpetrator to face just punishment for the crime.
”I am grateful that my daughter’s body was safely laid to rest in her hometown.
“God answered the prayers of my wife and mine, especially after she had been missing for eight months,” he told reporters at the Bandar Pasir Mas Muslim Cemetery on Monday night.
Istiqomah’s husband, Mohd Yusof Mohktar, 35, expressed hope that justice will be served for his late wife.
“I ask everyone to pray that my wife is placed among the righteous,” he said.
Istiqomah was laid to rest at the Bandar Pasir Mas Muslim Cemetery at 11.50pm on Monday.
On Aug 12, police confirmed that the dismembered body discovered in a drain along the Alor Gajah-Tampin trunk road near Kampung Rimau, Pulau Sebang, on Dec 31 last year, belonged to the teacher.
Istiqomah was reported missing four days earlier.
Following intelligence gathered by the Melaka and Johor police, a couple, aged 36 and 37, were arrested in Chemor, Perak, to assist with the investigation.
The wife was released on police bail while the male suspect led to the discovery of more body parts about 6km from where the victim’s body was found.
On Monday, Mohd Fadzly Ariffadzillah, 36, an ex-teacher who was the victim’s acquaintance, was charged with her murder at the Magistrate’s Court in Alor Gajah, Melaka.
