THE Human Rights Commission of Malaysia is unhappy with the lack of cooperation from the Selangor deputy public prosecutor in its inquiry into missing pastor Joshua Hilmy and wife Ruth Sitepu.

The 14th witness, Inspector Zulfadhly Yaacob, based at the Sg Way police station, told the inquiry today that the DPP has denied certain documentation requested by Suhakam.

Zulfadhly, who is the investigating officer of the missing person’s case, said the DPP said there could be an information leak and refused to share information with a third party because it would affect the investigation to locate the victims.

“For now, (the DPP said) there is no proof to show that the police have impeded the investigation.”

Suhakam commissioner Hishamuddin Yunus said they are unhappy with the explanation from the police and DPP.

“We are not happy because our inquiry is under the Suhakam Act. We are not third parties and are acting under the law.

“So, there must be cooperation with the sharing of information between government departments,” he said at the inquiry today.

Hishamuddin said that if there is any sensitive information, then the inspection of the documents can be done via camera.

“We need the information to complete the investigations.”

Hishamuddin then instructed Suhakam officers to write to the DPP for the documents.

Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph then said it is too often they have to remind the Attorney-General’s Chambers of the commission’s power.

“Every time we make a request (for documents), there is delay. This has to be reaffirmed as the police are being advised otherwise.

“I don’t blame the police but everyone should comply with the inquiry, because Suhakam is under established under an act of Parliament.”

The inquiry is held to discover what had happened to Joshua and Ruth, who are suspected to be victims of an enforced disappearance.

In 2018, two years after their disappearance, Ruth’s siblings lodged a missing person’s report.

Ruth’s family hail from the fishing village of Nambiki in northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

International human rights laws define enforced disappearance as when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organisation, or by a third party with the authorisation, support or acquiescence of a state or political organisation. – January 11, 2021.