THE Suhakam panel investigating the disappearance of Raymond Koh will visit the scene where the pastor was abducted this afternoon – this after the panel could not get the necessary information from a police witness during proceedings earlier today.

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner Mah Weng Kwai said there is nothing stopping them from going to scene to get a better understanding of how the abduction was carried out. 

“I will go to the area with my colleagues. It’s in Jalan SS4B/10 (Petaling Jaya). I want to see the area where it happened. 

“We will go and see the houses and roads as we don’t have a sketch of the area. I will also bring a measuring tape if need be. See how ridiculous this is, but it needs to be done,” he said.

Mah, who is the inquiry panel chairman, was clearly agitated with the testimony of the witness, ASP Supari Muhammad, who said the panel would need the approval of the Attorney-General’s Chambers if they wanted a sketch of the crime scene.

Lawyers representing Koh’s family earlier asked Supari if they could see the sketch plans and pictures of the crime scene. He replied that they would need the consent from the A-GC.

Police observers told the panel to send an official request to the AGC in order to have a look at the evidence, explaining that it was classified under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

This got Mah agitated, who said all these requests will simply delay the proceedings. 

“The inquiry is held to find answers. I thought the police would have sought the A-GC’s consent before coming here,” he said.

Mah also told police to invite a representative from the A-GC to attend future hearings in order to resolve any concern with regard to submission of classified documents.

“This will help us hasten the proceedings. If not, we will be going around in circles.”

The inquiry is seeking to determine if the cases of Koh, Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth, and social activist Amri Che Mat, are cases of enforced disappearance with the involvement of the authorities.

Mah is being assisted by Suhakam commissioners Aishah Bidin and Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh. – November 3, 2017.