KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The High Court in Malaysia has issued a landmark ruling in the cases of two missing individuals, a Christian pastor and a Muslim activist, by holding the government and police accountable for their enforced disappearances. This court decision is notable as it is the first time Malaysian authorities have been judicially recognized for involvement in such cases, despite previous denials.
The ruling was announced on Wednesday, with the court finding state involvement in the disappearances of Pastor Raymond Koh and activist Amri Che Mat, and ordering the police to reopen investigations into both cases. The Attorney-General's Chambers, however, stated their intention to appeal the court’s ruling.
Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted on February 13, 2017, in central Selangor state during a swift, military-style operation that took place in broad daylight. The incident was captured on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), and his family has reported that Koh had received death threats prior to his disappearance. He was allegedly under investigation for proselytizing to Muslims, a sensitive issue in Malaysia.
Similarly, Amri Che Mat vanished in November 2016 under comparable circumstances. He had previously been monitored by religious authorities due to suspicions of promoting Shiite teachings, which are not permitted in Malaysia’s Sunni-dominated Islamic landscape.
In a disturbing pattern, the disappearances of Koh and Amri were soon followed by the mysterious vanishings of Joshua Hilmi and his wife Ruth Hilmi, both of whom left the Muslim faith for Christianity, just six days after Amri's abduction. These incidents sparked fears of rising religious vigilantism in the country, which has a predominantly Muslim population.
The court awarded significant damages in this case, granting more than 30 million ringgit (approximately $7.2 million) to Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, and 3 million ringgit (around $717,000) to Amri’s wife, Noorhayati Mohamad Ariffin. Liew, who has been an outspoken advocate for justice, described the ruling as a historic and emotional milestone for their family, affirming their long-held belief in police responsibility for Koh's disappearance.
Notably, investigations conducted by Malaysia’s human rights commission and a special government task force had already suggested that members of the police's special branch were responsible for the disappearances. However, Liew criticized the government for failing to take necessary action based on these findings, stating that the recent court ruling, while it does not bring her husband back, provides a degree of vindication for her family.
Noorhayati expressed her hope that justice would be served for Amri's case, voicing frustration over the ongoing uncertainty of whether her husband is alive or dead. Her desire for closure echoes throughout the families impacted by these enforced disappearances.
In response to the court's decision, the U.K.-based rights organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide commended the ruling and urged the Malaysian government to uncover the truth regarding Pastor Koh's fate and whereabouts. They characterized this as a landmark decision that underscores the judiciary's independence in holding state actors accountable for enforced disappearances, potentially setting a new legal precedent in Malaysia.
