Pastor Koh’s inquiry ends, wife hopes truth will prevail

KUALA LUMPUR: The inquiry into the abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh has ended and his wife, Susanna Liew, is hopeful truth and justice will prevail.

Liew described the inquiry by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) as “enlightening” but also expressed relief it was finally over.

“We are looking forward and we have great expectation that Raymond and the rest will be released and that the culprits will be brought to justice,” she said after the inquiry was formally closed, about one year after it started.

The inquiry took place for 21 days and heard 16 witnesses.

Two police officers along with Liew were the last to testify at the inquiry yesterday.

Koh, 62, was abducted by a group of men along Jalan SS4B/10 in Petaling Jaya on Feb 13, 2017 while on his way to a friend’s house.

CCTV footage, believed to be of the incident, showed at least 15 men and three black SUVs involved in the abduction, which was done in a “professional” manner.

Koh’s silver-coloured car bearing the number plate ST5515D still has not been found.

Liew said she would hold the present government accountable even though the abduction occurred during the last administration.

“We still hope they will take action without fear or favour and there will be a resolution soon. It has been almost two years,” she said.

Liew added she was grateful to the Suhakam panel.

Suhakam commissioner Datuk Mah Weng Kwai, who led the inquiry said all lawyers involved would have to hand in their submissions on Jan 15.

Inquiries into the disappearances of Koh, social activist Amri Che Mat, Pastor Joshua Hilmi and his wife, Ruth Sitepu were held under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act.

The inquiry into the other disappearances will go on as scheduled.