THE Suhakam public inquiry on a missing pastor and activists resumes tomorrow with the probe now centred on Perlis Hope founder Amri Che Mat who went missing in November 2016.

The inquiry was in the final stages of probing the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh when it had to be suspended after it was revealed a suspect was arrested in connection with his abduction in February last year.

The Human Right Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) decided to suspend the inquiry into Koh’s abduction as the case is now in court.

Lawyers and civil society groups questioned why the suspect, part-time driver, Lam Chang Nam, who was earlier arrested and charged with trying to extort money from Koh’s son, was suddenly charged with abduction – one day before the inquiry into Koh resumed.

Suhakam chief commissioner Mah Weng Kwai had said although the inquiry into Koh’s disappearance had been suspended, the probe into the missing Amri, and Joshua Hilmi and Ruth Hilmy, will go on.

Amri was a social activist who went missing without a trace on November 24, 2016.

He was abducted 550m from his home at Padang Behor in Kangar. The police later found his car at Bukit Chabang.

The 43-year-old who was part of the 1997 Mount Everest Malaysian expedition team, had reportedly told his eldest daughter he was going out that night. He has four daughters, aged 19, 17, 15 and 10.

In her police report, Amri’s wife, Norhayati Ariffin, said there were unknown cars and motorcycles parked near their home the day the activist went missing.

Perlis Hope spokesperson Mohd Aizat Zahid said Norhayati and the family are still reeling from the loss.  

“They are trying to stay strong. Perlis Hope will always look out for the well-being of Amri family,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Close friends

Aizat said the first time he met Amri was in 2015 when he organised a charity event to help children with chronic diseases.

“We became very close after the event. Because we have the same passion and mission (to help people), Amri invited me to join the welfare organisation as a volunteer.

“By working with Perlis Hope, we started a variety of events, programmes and charities until the organisation became well known throughout Perlis.

“Amri was a very important person in Perlis Hope who had contributed many ideas which had changed the lives of many poor people in the state,” Aizat said.

He said Amri’s disappearance was also felt by his friends and the volunteers.

Hounded by religious authorities

Aizat said since their inception on October 17, 2015 many people of all ages, races and religion wanted to join Perlis Hope as volunteers. 

However, he said the success of Perlis Hope was frowned upon by the Perlis Islamic Religious Department (JAIPS) and the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPs).

Aizat said Perlis Hope was accused of having links with extremists and their efforts to spread Shia (teachings). 

“This accusation is baseless because Perlis Hope is a welfare organisation and is not religious-based.

“Some of the Perlis Hope non-Muslim volunteers were also affected by these accusations. They felt sad over the allegations thrown by the religious bodies,” he said.

He said Perlis Hope has come across a lot of critical cases involving the poor. 

He spoke on an incident where a husband, wife and their daughters were living in  poor conditions for five years despite this case being referred to Baitulmal Perlis and the Arau assemblyman, but there was no action.

Aizat said Perlis Hope took up this case and built a home for the family in just 12 hours.

He said Perlis Hope has been carrying out their activities on a small scale with limited contributions since Amri’s disappearance.

“Before losing Amri, Perlis Hope carried out three major programmes to help the poor, providing 10kg bag of rice to about 180 less fortunate families, building and repairing homes and distributing used clothes and school uniforms to the needy.”

But for the past one year, since Amri’s disappearance, they have had to cut down on some of their services.

Aizat also said many volunteers have pulled out because of the allegations by the Perlis Islamic departments.

“Some are also afraid that what had happened to Amri will befall them,” he added. – January 21, 2018.