As Kovan victims’ family seek closure, more questions emerge

SINGAPORE — The family of the grisly double murder victims in Kovan continued their search for answers and closure as they began funeral rites yesterday for the slain Mr Tan Boon Sin, 67, and his son, Chee Heong, 42.

And before details that led to the tragedy emerge over the coming months — starting with the arraignment of the alleged killer Iskandar Rahmat today — more questions have been thrown up by fresh revelations from a relative.

The mother-in-law of younger son Chee Wee claimed that the elder Tan’s wallet, identity card, and all the belongings he kept in a CISCO safe deposit box were missing when he was found dead in his Hillside Drive home.

She also speculated that the elder Tan had called his son home that afternoon.

At the wake held at the Teochew Funeral Parlour yesterday, distraught family members struggled to hold themselves together as the funeral rites were performed.

As they were led around the two caskets that were laid next to each other, the matriach of the household let out wails, calling out for her “good son”. The younger widow kept a stoic front, comforting her 10-year-old son and other family members.

Later in the night, more friends and relatives poured in, as well as Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee and Assistant Commissioner of Police Alvin Moh, the commander of Bedok Police Division where Senior Staff Sergeant Iskandar was attached to.

Commissioner Ng also handed personal letters from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean to the victims’ family.

Speaking to reporters, the brother-in-law of the senior Mr Tan, Mr Ong Boon Kok, 49, said no one in the family knew of the existence of the murder suspect until he was nabbed in a popular eatery in Johor Bahru while he was on the run.

The 34-year-old model cop turned alleged murderer was said to have known the senior Mr Tan last November when the latter lodged a police report for a theft.

He will be charged today under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty.

Regarding the suspect’s possible death sentence, Mr Ong said in Mandarin: “Even if he’s sentenced to death, it will not make up for the lost lives of two innocent men.”

Mr Ong also thanked the Singapore Police Force on behalf of his family. “Every organisation has a black sheep, even if it’s the police force … Even if there is one bad cop, there are many, many good officers,” he said.

Meanwhile, the suspect’s family continued to shun the media, keeping the door and windows of their Kim Keat flat shut as reporters waited outside for hours.