RCI INTO MISSING DUO DEPENDS ON A-GC
Muhyiddin hopes Suhakam will table report of inquiry into disappearance of both men
AROYAL commission of inquiry (RCI) could be set up to delve into the disappearances of Pastor Raymond Koh and activist Amri Che Mat.
However, that would depend on the Attorney-General Chambers’ decision to reopen the cases, said Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He was replying to a question on the possibility of setting up an RCI into the issue following the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) claims that police were behind the disappearance of Koh and Amri in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
“Firstly, we hope that Suhakam will table an official report before us, which, usually, will reach (forwarded to) the prime minister.
“So we need to wait, scrutinise (the case) and if there is a necessity, because of a report, we can then reopen the cases, if allowed by the prosecution. Only then will we look into it (possibility of setting up an RCI).
“That will depend on the prosecution’s agreement (to reopen the case).
“We have yet to receive an official report,” Muhyiddin said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
On Wednesday, Suhakam announced its final findings on the public inquiry into Koh and Amri’s disappearance and concluded that both were the victims of “enforced disappearance”.
Its panel chairman, Datuk Mah Weng Kwai, alleged that Bukit Aman’s Special Branch was involved in the abductions.
In August, Suhakam conducted a public inquiry into the disappearance of the two men.
On April 21, 2017, the commission’s chairman, Tan Sri Razali Ismail, had called on the authorities to use all means at their disposal to discover the fate of the men, take all steps to alleviate concerns and unease among the public, and bring to justice those responsible.
Mah said Suhakam would submit the report to the government soon.
This, he said, was to enable the government to study the report and decide on the next action.
“The report will be submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office, Home Ministry, Attorney-General’s Chambers, as well as the police,” he told a press conference.
Mah welcomed Muhyiddin’s statement on the government’s readiness to set up an RCI into the case.
“The establishment of an RCI is a good development as further investigations can be made in a transparent manner.
“What is more important, however, is setting up a task force to probe the case and from there, we can hopefully obtain more facts and evidence.
“Suhakam proposes that the task force members be appointed by the attorney-general.”