‘POLICE ABDUCTED AMRI, PASTOR KOH’
Suhakam inquiry concludes Special Branch behind duo’s disappearance
THE findings from the public inquiry by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) reveal that the two missing persons, social activist Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh, are victims of an enforced disappearance.
Panel head Datuk Mah Weng Kwai said based on the discussions and deliberations in both cases, the panel felt that individuals or groups operating with the support of state agents had been involved in the abductions.
“The panel is of the considered view that the enforced disappearance of Amri was carried out by agents of the state, namely the Special Branch of Bukit Aman.
“The disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh was neither a case of voluntary disappearance nor a case of involuntary disappearance in breach of the ordinary criminal law.
“The direct and circumstantial
evidence in Koh’s case also proves that he was abducted by the Special Branch,” he said when announcing the final findings of Suhakam’s public inquiry into the disappearances of the duo here yesterday.
Amri, the founder of nongovernmental organisation Perlis Hope, went missing after leaving his home in Kangar, Perlis, about 11.30pm on Nov 24, 2016.
Amri was driving a Toyota Fortuner when it was “boxed in” and about an hour later, his vehicle was found abandoned at a construction site in Bukit Chabang, Kangar.
Koh was last seen by his wife, Susanna Koh, on Feb 13, 2017, about 10.15am.
It was reported that Koh was abducted by a group of men in Jalan SS4B/10, Petaling Jaya, while on his way to a friend’s house.
Suhakam started a public inquiry into the missing individuals, as well as Joshua Hilmi and his wife, Ruth, on Aug 9, 2017.
On April 21, 2017, Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail called on the authorities to use all means at their disposal to find the missing persons, to take all steps to alleviate concerns and unease among the public, and to bring those responsible for the disappearance to justice.