Govt to open new probe into disappearance of Koh, Amri
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government will open a new investigation into the findings of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) on the disappearance of social activists Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh.
However, he said, the investigation would have to wait because the accusations were directed at the current inspectorgeneral of police (IGP).
“We will have to wait until we have a new IGP (to pursue the case).
“After that, we will set up a group to study whether there is substance in the hearsay evidence used by Suhakam,” he said yesterday.
On Wednesday, Suhakam claimed that the special police intelligence team, the Special Branch from Bukit Aman, was involved in the abduction of Koh, which was similar to the disappearance of Amri.
Suhakam commissioner Datuk Mah Weng Kwai said the decision was made based on the findings of its panel, which conducted a study on Koh’s abduction.
Mah said the direct and circumstantial evidence in Koh’s case had proven, on a balance of probabilities, that he was abducted by state agents, namely the Special Branch Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.
Koh went missing in 2017 after he was abducted by a group of men while on his way to a friend’s house in Petaling Jaya.
In 2016, Amri, the co-founder of non-governmental organisation Perlis Hope, went out in his sport-utility vehicle from his home in Kangar at about 11.30pm and had since gone missing.
His vehicle was found at a construction site in the early hours of the morning the following day.
On a separate matter, Dr Mahathir said Malaysia and Singapore would have discussions with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on unresolved issues at the 9th Malaysia-Singapore Leader’' Retreat next week.
The latest edition of the leaders’ retreat was supposed to be held in November last year, but was postponed.
“We are not going to confront them. But, I believe Singapore understands the need to review the price of water,” said Dr Mahathir.