Amri’s wife says IGP’s statement a conflict of interest

Norhayati Mohd Ariffin, wife of missing activist Amri Che Mat.

PETALING JAYA: The wife of missing activist Amri Che Mat has asked the nation’s top cop not to make statements about the non-involvement of the Special Branch in her husband’s disappearance, saying it was a conflict of interest.

Norhayati Mohd Ariffin reminded Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun that he was the Special Branch director when Amri went missing in 2016.

“I urge him not to make such statements.

“Instead, I hope the police will cooperate in the new investigations that have been promised by the government,” Norhayati told FMT.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said a new probe will be conducted by the incoming new IGP after Fuzi retires next month.

Earlier today, Fuzi had denied that the Special Branch was involved in Amri’s disappearance despite the conclusion drawn to that effect by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) after a year-long inquiry.

He said an officer who had refused to testify at the inquiry was only a contract worker.

The inquiry had heard that a car belonging to a Special Branch officer, Saiful Bahari, was seen near the place where Amri was believed to have been abducted.

Saiful failed to testify at the inquiry, prompting Suhakam to accuse the police of not cooperating.

Fuzi said police had done their own investigations and were waiting for a response from the deputy public prosecutor.

Suhakam today again defended its decision to hold an inquiry into the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri, saying it was not an attempt to punish the police.

In a statement, it said it had conducted nine public inquiries since its inception, with the contents of each report made public. - FMT