Lawyers want answers from Bukit Aman

KUALA LUMPUR: The lawyers of Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh have asked the police to answer the “serious” allegations made against them in Suhakam’s decision yesterday.

In welcoming Suhakam’s decision, lawyer Gurdial Singh Nijhar said that it was significant that the police chose not to come.

“They have been participating all this while, but for reasons best known to themselves, have been conspicuous in their absence today.

“Now they should answer because they have been targeted as those responsible for the abductions,” he said yesterday after Suhakam presented its findings.

“This is a country that is governed by the rule of law, not the jungle. You cannot abduct people in broad daylight in circumstances like this. This cannot occur in a civilised society and there must be repercussions,” added Gurdial.

He also noted that Citizen Action Group On Enforced Disappearance (Caged) spokesman Rama Ramanathan said they were very happy with the “bold” decision by the Suhakam panel.

Caged had submitted a memorandum to Suhakam which then led to the inquiry.

The inquiry took place over 45 days, beginning on Oct 19, 2017, and ending with oral submissions on March 6, 2019.

Altogether, 40 witnesses, including from the police and religious authorities, were called up to give their testimony.

Yesterday marked 860 days since Amri Che Mat disappeared 500m from his house in Perlis, and 780 days since Pastor Raymond Koh was seen abducted off a street in Petaling Jaya.