ALOR GAJAH: A male university acquaintance is believed to be the prime suspect in the murder of teacher Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi, whose headless body was found in a trash bin in a drain along the Alor Gajah-Tampin road on Dec 31.
The man, a former teacher before he quit to become a foreign currency (Forex) trader, is believed to have had investment dealings with the victim, who was a teacher at Kota Masai 3 School near Pasir Gudang, Johor. She was reported missing by her family on Dec 26.
The victim's car was found in the parking lot of the Lotus Kota Masai supermarket, Pasir Gudang, about 2pm on Dec 27.
Police investigation since the discovery of the headless body on Dec 31 led to the arrest of a married couple in Chemor, Perak. They were remanded on Aug 6.
Alor Gajah police chief Superintendent Ashari Abu Samah identified the murder victim as 33-year-old Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi, a mother of three children.
He said the discovery was the result of investigation and DNA tests conducted by Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department's Data Bank/DNA Division on the victim's mother. He added that the decapitated body was found by the public on Dec 31.
"DNA tests conducted on Aug 2 revealed that the DNA matched the sample taken from the unidentified body," he said.
Ashari said acting on the information, the Special Investigation Division (D9) of the Melaka Criminal Investigation Department, in collaboration with Johor CID and the Alor Gajah district police headquarters Criminal Investigation Division, conducted an in-depth investigation.
Following this, police arrested a married couple, aged 36 and 37, in Chemor, Perak, on Aug 5 and remanded them for six days starting from Aug 6 until today.
"Further questioning of the suspects led to the discovery of more parts of the victim's remains, including the skull and finger bones, about six kilometres from where the victim's body was found," he said.
Ashari said that the male suspect was an acquaintance of the victim and they were involved in Forex investment.
"The remand on the male suspect has been extended for another seven days starting today until Aug 18. His wife was released on police bail after it was found that she had no connection with the case.
"Police have opened an investigation paper under the Penal Code for murder," he said.
Ashari said those with any information on the case should contact the Alor Gajah district police headquarters via hotline 06-5562222 or call the case investigation officer Assistant Superintendent Norehan Omar at 010-4064003.
Earlier today, both suspects were brought to the Alor Gajah Court Complex at 9.10am before magistrate Teoh Shu Yee.