POLICE are still looking for a Malaysian man who disappeared after the decomposed body of a woman was found in a room they had shared.

Mr Chu Boon Yuak, 26, a production operator, left by bus via Woodlands Checkpoint on March 31 last year - 15 hours before Madam Tan Siew Maw's body was found, a coroner's court heard on Monday.

The couple - both Malaysians - had shared a room at Rivervale Walk, Sengkang, four to five months earlier.

Both were working for FCI Microconnections Asia in Loyang Way. She was a married woman with two children.

At a coroner's inquiry into the quality assurance technician's death, Sergeant Surinderpal Singh said that the landlord, Mr Cheng Hai Leng, 64, was having coffee at a coffeeshop on March 30 when Mr Chu, whose wrists were cut, joined him.

Asked what happened, Mr Chu said he had injured himself while working.

When Mr Cheng asked where Madam Tan was, Mr Chu said she had gone back to Malaysia the day before after work.

The court heard that the couple had texted their supervisor on March 28 to say that they would not be turning up for work.

According to the supervisor, Mr Chu often took medical leave, and he did not intend to renew Mr Chu's contract because his performance was unsatisfactory.

Madam Tan's husband, Mr Pang Chok Siap, 38, had told police that he last spoke to her on March 27. She said her leave to go to Malaysia for Qing Ming festival was pending approval.

Sgt Singh said two blood-stained towels were found beside Madam Tan, whose body had started to decompose.

Lots of used blood-stained tissue paper were found in the waste paper basket in the bedroom.

Other items found included razor blades, a packet of plaster, an empty bottle of Martell VSOP and a bowl of liquid believed to be soup.

State Coroner Victor Yeo returned an open verdict as the cause of Madam Tan's death could not be ascertained.