Pastor Koh's family, friends still hopeful for justice

 

Seven years have passed since Pastor Raymond Koh disappeared but his family and friends continue to pray that he would one day return.

Lawyer Andrew Khoo said a vigil service was held at the Klang Chinese Methodist Church this morning, attended by Koh’s wife Susanna Liew together with some 100 congregants.

“The overall mood was realistic, but positive,” Khoo told Malaysiakini.

“I am still hopeful that the government will tell Koh’s family what happened to him.

“Why was he the victim of enforced disappearance? Full disclosure about parties responsible; and generally speaking on accountability and justice,” he said.

On April 3, 2019, following inquiry proceedings, Suhakam concluded that Koh’s abduction was an enforced disappearance which involved the Special Branch from Bukit Aman.

Liew, 67, subsequently launched an ongoing suit against the police and government to reveal the whereabouts of Koh, 68, who was abducted on Feb 13, 2017.

Khoo noted that Koh’s disappearance, as well as social activist Amri Che Mat, were the first two cases of enforced disappearances in Malaysia which had come to light in a public way.

Across the region, Khoo noted the absence of any positive development when it comes to bringing those in power to account for unresolved cases of enforced disappearance.

“The silence in this regard is deafening.

“We may have to wait a long time, as Liew, Koh’s wife once said, but justice will come. Eventually,” he added. - Mkini