Give us our husbands and justice, say wives
KUALA LUMPUR: Though relieved to hear of Suhakam’s decision on the cases of their husbands, both Susanna Liew and Norhayati Ariffin remain in tears.
Brought together by a cruel twist of fate that wrenched their husbands from their lives, the two have been each other’s constant source of strength.
For the wives of both Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat, the most important thing remains – to have their husbands returned safe and sound.
“We would like to see the perpetrators and those involved brought to book. We want to see justice and truth prevail.
“Today, we still do not know what actually happened to our husbands. Why they were taken,” said Koh’s wife Liew as she held hands with Norhayati.
She also mulled giving the government a period of six months to take action before initiating a civil suit against the authorities.
She wished to meet either the Prime Minister or the Home Minister to discuss the case.
“This is not the end but the beginning of our fight for religious freedom and human rights. We want to see the people involved investigated and brought to justice,” she said.
Both Liew and Koh have three grown-up children.
Similarly, Amri’s wife Norhayati asked if their husbands will be returned.
“What about our status? My children are still young. What are their status?” she asked tearfully.
Amri and Norhayati have four girls.
Suhakam announced that both Amri and Koh were victims of enforced disappearances, with evidence pointing to Bukit Aman as the culprit.
Suhakam also expressed its deepest concern and sympathies to both families and their loved ones for the grief, anxiety and sadness arising from the enforced disappearances.