Suhakam to hold public inquiry on missing pastors, activist

KUCHING: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) will conduct a public inquiry into the cases of Pastor Raymond Koh, social activist Amri Che Mat, as well as Pastor Joshua Hilmi and his wife Ruth, who were reported missing.

The public hearings are tentatively scheduled for October.

Suhakam said in a press statement yesterday that it can conduct the inquiry under powers conferred by Sections 12 and 14 of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 (Act 597).

Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said the inquiry is necessary in the public interest.

“In accordance with Suhakam’s mandate, the inquiry will consider, among others, whether these cases are cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances, as defined under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance that defines an enforced disappearance as the arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the state or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorisation, support or acquiescence of the state,” Razali said in the statement.

“The inquiry will also consider whether the authorities, specifically the Royal Malaysia Police, have taken adequate steps to investigate these cases.”

He added that Suhakam will also continue to gather information from all stakeholders, including the police and others who have been cooperative towards finding some truth to the matter.

Koh was last seen on Feb 13, while Amri, Joshua and Ruth were last seen in November.