Kovan murder suspect was in hospital for hand infection

SINGAPORE - The policeman charged over the Kovan double murder spent his week-long remand in hospital with an infection in his right hand, a court heard on Monday.

Iskandar Rahmat is accused of killing car workshop owner Tan Boon Sin, 66, and his 42-year-old son at their Hillside Drive home.

The senior staff sergeant was in Changi General Hospital from July 15 to Sunday, said a police prosecutor.

Iskandar now has a lawyer, Mr Ferlin Jayatissa, to act on his behalf. In the dock on Monday, the policeman with 14 years of experience scanned the public gallery and asked who had engaged counsel for him.

He was told that it was his family.

The elder Mr Tan was found dead in his terrace house on July 13.

His son, businessman Tan Chee Heong, was reportedly seen staggering outside in a blood-soaked T-shirt before being dragged for about 1km by the family's Toyota Camry.

Iskandar was arrested in Johor Baru, 54 hours after the double slaying. The officer, who was facing financial difficulties and disciplinary proceedings, has been suspended from duty without pay.

Mr Jayatissa applied to speak to his client for a few minutes, but District Judge Kessler Soh turned down his request as investigations were still ongoing.

Iskandar was remanded at Central Police Division for another week. Before being led away, he gave a wave.

The case will come up for mention next Monday.

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