Pastor’s family more wary about info
KUALA LUMPUR: An extortion attempt has made the family of missing Pastor Raymond Koh more cautious about information they get on his whereabouts.
A source close to the family said it was a cruel act as it gave the family hope of Koh’s return, only to realise later the information was false.
“The family is already having a tough time coping with the kidnapping.
“They do not want to chase after false leads and there has been no credible information,” he said.
The source was referring to an alleged attempt by Uber driver Lam Chang Nam, 31, to extort RM30,000 from Jonathan Koh Szu Hao, 33, the son of the missing pastor, in Kelana Jaya on March 6.
He had since been charged in court.
Family members and friends have regularly held candlelight vigil at the Kelana Jaya Lake to pray for the release and safety of the pastor.
Koh, 62, is believed to have been abducted by masked men in Jalan SS4B/10 on the morning of Feb 13.
Police have set up a special task force to investigate the abduction.
The kidnapping triggered a public outcry, especially after video of Koh’s alleged abduction went viral.
The video allegedly showed Koh’s abduction by 15 men in seven vehicles.
The act happened under a minute, in what appeared to be a well-planned and professionally-executed operation.
A church member at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church in Petaling Jaya, where Koh is an associate pastor, said word had gone around that negotiations were ongoing for his release, but the family preferred to keep a low profile.
He added that if Koh returned safely, the pastor and his family would probably leave the country to recover from the incident.
“Koh’s integrity as a pastor could prove to be an obstacle to his release.
“He is a God-fearing man. He will only speak the truth, if he is released, and that may not sit well with his kidnappers,” said the church member, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, some 200 people turned up at the Kelana Jaya Lake to provide support to Koh’s family.
A pastor led prayers for Koh’s safe return.
Koh’s wife, Suzanna, expressed her gratitude for those who turned up for the hour-long vigil from 8.30pm and said there were no new developments in the case.