AT least 15 witnesses have been subpoenaed by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to give their statements on October 19 at a public inquiry into missing Pastor Raymond Koh and three other activists.

They are among the more than 30 people that Suhakam has interviewed since it began investigations in June to establish if the authorities have taken adequate measures in the search for the missing four.

Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph told The Malaysian Insight those interviewed included family members of the missing four, police and interested parties.

“The list of witnesses has been finalised, some of the subpoenas have been sent out while the rest will be done this week.

“Suhakam is not at liberty to releases the list of witness, it will be done when the inquiry starts,” Jerald told The Malaysian Insight.

However, Koh’s family told The Malaysian Insight that they have made a request to Suhakam to subpoena former inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar to testify at the public hearing.

“We want Khalid to testify as he was the main person in charge since Koh’s disappearance.

“It is only logical that he (Khalid) is called to explain the case,” the family spokesman said.

Jerald said anyone can be called if deemed necessary.  

“The panel members will be decide if they will need to call in more people. 

“Three commissioners have been identified and they will be made known when the inquiry starts,” he said.

Suhakam subpoenaed the witnesses according to the provisions under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 (Act 597) which empowers it to question witnesses in cases of suspected infringement of human rights.

The commission can also act against those who fail to turn up after being subpoenaed, under Section 174 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to a month and a fine not exceeding RM1,000, or both.

The public inquiry will take place on October 19, 20 and 30 at the Suhakam headquarters at Menara TH Perdana on Jalan Sultan Ismail. 

The spokesman also said the family hope that Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun will urge his team to cooperate fully with the Suhakam inquiry and provide clarification on the case.

“We have not contacted Fuzi and the police have also not contacted us on any update.

“He said to the media to give him time (after he took office), so we will wait and see the outcome of the Suhakam inquiry first.”

Koh was abducted in Petaling Jaya on February 13 by 15 men in three black SUVs. The abduction, which took place during the day, appeared to be well coordinated.

The Malaysian Insight reported that police said Koh might have been abducted by a human-trafficking syndicate linked to groups in southern Thailand.

The public inquiry will also look into the disappearances of Amir Che Mat, who went missing on the night of November 24 last year after he told his eldest daughter he was going out, and Joshua Hilmy, a pastor of Malay descent, and his wife Ruth, who went missing on November 30 last year. – October 5, 2017.