Ex-IGP: Suhakam’s report hearsay
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has declared his readiness to assist any investigation into claims that police were behind the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh and social activist Amri Che Mat.
Khalid, who was inspector-general of police (IGP) when the two men disappeared in 2016 and 2017, said he had no qualms aiding any investigation into the claims, which were made by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).
He said Suhakam’s conclusion from its inquiry into the disappearance of the men, which the report had said was an “enforced disappearance”, was circumstantial and hearsay.
“Suhakam’s decision was purely circumstantial and hearsay. This is also a wild accusation by Suhakam against the police.
“My testimony in the inquiry stands. There is no such thing as an enforced disappearance.
“I will assist (any investigation),” he told the New Straits Times.
Khalid had appeared as a witness in Suhakam’s inquiry in October 2017.
Suhakam’s report, released on Wednesday, had claimed that Koh, a pastor, and Amri, a Shia Muslim, had been accused of proselytising to Muslims and were under monitoring by religious authorities and the police Special Branch.
Prior to his retirement as IGP in 2017, Khalid had said a group based in southern Thailand might have been involved in Koh’s abduction.
On Wednesday, IGP Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun told the media that he needed to read the inquiry report before commenting on the findings.
Khalid took to Twitter yesterday to voice his views on the matter.
Via his handle, @KBAB51, Khalid shared an article that quoted Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as saying that Suhakam’s findings were hearsay unless backed by evidence.
Khalid maintained that Suhakam’s findings were circumstantial at best.
“In Pastor Koh and Amri’s issue, SUHAKAM’s decisions/ accusations on @PDRMsia was based on circumstances. My testimony during the inquiry stands.”
He came under fire from Twitter users.
One user, @kamal_style92, offered a rebuke, saying that Khalid had little credibility and that it was hard to believe him.
Khalid did not take the rebuke kindly, saying: “Who are you to judge my credibility?”
@kamal_style92 continued his attack on Khalid and accused him of inaction over the Indira Gandhi conversion case, as well as having ordered arrests against Malaysians over their “normal” tweets.
The user shared an article on how Jingga 13 secretariat member Irwan Yahya was arrested for threatening Khalid on Twitter during his stint as IGP.
Khalid brushed off the criticism and maintained that he acted in accordance with the law.
“It looks like you are ignorant of the prevailing laws and court procedures. Whatever I did was in compliance with the prevailing law of the land,” said Khalid.
Suhakam’s decision was purely circumstantial and hearsay. This is also a wild accusation by Suhakam against the police. My testimony in the inquiry stands.
There is no such thing as an enforced disappearance. TAN SRI KHALID ABU BAKAR
Former inspector-general of police