Her husband, Yusof Mokhtar, 35, called for severe punishment for the perpetrators, including the death penalty, given the cruelty and inhumanity of his wife’s murder, Bernama reported.

“I want justice for my wife. It’s not right. She was a faithful wife and loved her children very much, too,” he told reporters at his home in Taman Kota Masai, Johor Bahru today.

“She was a good person. If there was anything (she needed to do), she would seek my permission.”

Yusof said their three children – Naura Auni, 9, Naufal Amzar, 6, and Nayla Aisya, 4 – are aware of their mother’s death and have become noticeably quieter, especially the eldest.

Meanwhile, the victim’s mother, Saleha Ya, 58, recalled her last meeting with Istiqomah during a family holiday in Morib, Selangor, just two days before her daughter was reported missing. She said there was nothing peculiar or different in her daughter’s behaviour at the time.

Saleha said she and her husband, Ahmad Rozi Latimin, 64, underwent DNA tests at the Seri Alam and Alor Gajah police headquarters (IPD) to assist in the search for their daughter.

Rozi said they plan to bring Istiqomah’s remains back to Kampung Kubang Badak, Pasir Mas, in Kelantan for burial.

“We are now waiting for the completion of the autopsy at the hospital. We don’t know when, but when it’s done, we will take her body directly to Pasir Mas for burial,” he added.

Earlier today, Alor Gajah police chief Ashari Abu Samah confirmed that the remains found in December were that of Istiqomah, following a positive DNA match with her mother’s sample taken on Aug 2.

A couple, aged 36 and 37, were arrested in Perak three days after the discovery. The police investigation led to the recovery of further remains, including the victim’s fingers and head, about 6km from where the rest of Istiqomah’s body had been found.

The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.