Suspect faces Alor Gajah court today for murder of mutilated teacher Istiqomah

KUALA LUMPUR, August 19 – The main suspect in the murder and dismemberment of 33-year-old teacher Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi will be arraigned in the Magistrates Court in Alor Gajah, Melaka, today, according to News Harian.

The Malay daily reported that Alor Gajah district police chief Superintendent Ashari Abu Samah confirmed that the Director of Public Prosecutions issued the chargesheet last Thursday after reviewing the investigation documents.

“The Director of Prosecutions has completed the review of the investigation files and ordered that the 37-year-old suspect be arraigned before the Alor Gajah Magistrate's Court today,” Ashari was quoted as saying.

He said DNA tests of the head and finger samples found showed they belonged to Istiqomah, but did not say whether all of the victim's body parts had been recovered.

“Some recent DNA tests on newly discovered evidence have not yet produced results,” Ashari was quoted as saying.

He also reportedly said Istiqomah's family could collect her remains from the forensic department of Melaka Hospital for burial at 11am today.

According to reports, her relatives had previously asked for the body to be released more quickly.

Istiqomah's husband, Mohd Yusof Mokhtar, 35, also reportedly said her remains would be taken to Pasir Mas, Kelantan, for burial.

On January 6, media reported the discovery of a headless, dismembered female body in a garbage container along the Alor Gajah-Tampin road near Kampung Rimau, Pulau Sebang, Melaka.

After about eight months, on August 12, Ashari confirmed that the body was identified as Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi, a teacher who was reported missing on December 27, 2023.

Subsequently, the Special Investigation Division of the Melaka Criminal Investigation Department, in collaboration with the Johor JSJ and the Alor Gajah District Police Headquarters, arrested a married couple aged 37 and 36 in Chemor, Perak on 6 August.