FORMER Special Branch commissioner Awaluddin Jadid will continue his testimony today at the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) inquiry into missing activist Amri Che Mat.

Awaluddin was summoned to give his testimony on his meeting with Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin and whether Bukit Aman was involved in Amri’s disappearance.

During the inquiry on Tuesday, he denied police’s involvement in the disappearance of Amri, adding that he did not know about it, as alleged by Amri’s wife Norhayati Ariffin.

Awaluddin, who retired from the force three days ago, said he was aware of the police report lodged by Norhayati but denied her claims about Bukit Aman’s involvement.

Norhayati said a Special Branch officer, Sgt Shamzaini Mohd Daud from Perlis, visited her home on May 12 last year and told her that her husband was under police surveillance before he went missing.

Shamzaini also told her that Amri and pastor Raymond Koh were taken by Bukit Aman.

After the meeting, Norhayati lodged a report on May 14 in Shah Alam.

Amri was allegedly being investigated for spreading Shia teachings.

He went missing on November 24, 2016. He was believed to have been abducted by a group of people in four-wheel-drive vehicles that surrounded his car in Kg Padang Behor.

Koh was abducted on February 13 last year by several men in balaclavas who used black SUVs to block his car on a road in Petaling Jaya.

Suhakam is conducting a public inquiry into the disappearance of Amri, Koh, pastor Joshua Hilmy and Joshua’s wife, Ruth, to ascertain if they are cases of enforced disappearance.

The Malaysian Insight brings you live updates from today’s proceedings.

1pm: Nizam asks Awaluddin about his meeting with Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin in 2016, asking Awaluddin to confirm, as per his testimony on Tuesday, that the meeting was a courtesy call. 

Nizam then asks Awaluddin about his previous testimony stating his division was not involved in Amri’s case. 

Awaluddin responds in the positive. 

Nizam then asks why, if the meeting was a courtesy call, PowerPoint slides and folders were prepared by his division for the meeting. 

The lawyer then shows a picture of a PowerPoint slide and Amri’s house. 

Nizam then asks him about the picture of the house. 

Awaluddin said the picture is of a Shia centre in Perlis. 

Nizam asks Awaluddin whether he knew that it was Amri’s house. 

Awaluddin said it is a Shia centre that happens to be Amri’s house. 

Nizam then said Awaluddin’s testimony that his division was not involved in the Amri case now appears untrue.

Awaluddin disagrees. 

The lawyer then asks Awaluddin whether Perlis Hope was mentioned at the meeting. 

Awaluddin says they talked about Shia. 

The inquiry ends and will resume tomorrow. 

12.45pm: Nizam asks Awaluddin if the National Fatwa Council said professing to be a Shia is prohibited. 

The lawyer asks if there is any other fatwa on the issue on Shia. 

Awaluddin said no. 

12.20pm: Nizam asks Awaluddin if Ayob’s focus was on Islamic State in an article in 2016. 

Awaluddin said he agreed. 

The lawyer then asks Awaluddin if he agreed that Ayob wanted police to focus on IS and not Shia.

Awaluddin said that was his purview.

12pm: Nizam asks Awaluddin if he agreed with Ayob’s observation that categorising someone as Shia endangered the person.

Awaluddin said he disagreed.

The lawyer asks Awaluddin if calling someone a Shia poses a danger to the person.

Awaluddin said that there is no problem. 

11.45am: Nizam asks Awaluddin if his 2016 speech implied that police will have to work hand-in-glove with the religious authorities and resort to extralegal means because the ISA (Internal Security Act) had been abolished.

The lawyer asks if extralegal means going above the law.

Awaluddin said he disagreed.

Nizam asks Awaluddin if he agrees that there are colleagues in Bukit Aman, such as DCP Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, who disagree that his division should focus on those who profess to be Shia.

Awaluddin said he disagreed.

11.15am: Nizam asks Awaluddin if there are shortcomings in the judiciary and Shia cases can’t be dealt with by the religious authorities.

The lawyer also asks Awaluddin if he thought police must fight back through Muslim civil society groups.

Awaluddin disagreed.

The inquiry takes a short break. 

11am: Nizam asks Awaluddin to explain his claim that there are Shias in Putrajaya.

Awaluddin said this was based on intelligence.

Mah then interjected and asks if he meant the area or the administration. 

Awaluddin said it was in the government. 

Nizam asks Awaluddin if there is any disciplinary issue with members of the civil service who are Shia.

Awaluddin said not to his knowledge. 

Nizam asks Awaluddin if Norhayati Ariffin is a Shia.

Awaluddin said he doesn’t know. 

“She is just accusing me (in her report). She is against me.”

10.50am: Nizam asks Awaluddin’s claim that there are also police officers who are Shia.

The lawyer asks in his 40 years of service, how many times did he refer police officers who are Shia to the religious departments.

Awaluddin replied that in his personal capacity none.

He also has no knowledge of the number of cases that have been referred. 

10.30am: Nizam asks what he meant by enemies like Shia who have even infiltrated the judiciary. 

Awaluddin said they are the enemy because there is a national and state fatwa stating that Shia is deviant teachings.

He said if there are elements of Shia in the judiciary, then it would be difficult to bring cases to court. 

Nizam then asks Awaluddin if he is suggesting that Shia has infiltrated the judiciary. 

Awaluddin disagreed, adding that at the time, he was giving advice. 

10.10am: Nizam asks if Awaluddin said in 2016 PAS should not join Pakatan Rakyat.

Awaluddin said, as a Muslim, this was just advice to protect Islam. 

Suhakam commissioner Mah Weng Kwai asks if police are involved in politics. 

Awaluddin said “no”.

Mah then asks Awaluddin why did he say PAS should not join Pakatan Rakyat. 

Awaluddin replied it was just advice and it was not political. 

“The main concern is security. Sometimes when we give talks we get carried away.” 

Nizam then said that there were political overtones in his speech. 

Awaluddin disagreed. 

9.45am: Nizam asks Awaluddin is there any basis to verify his claims that Malays were becoming priests.

Awaluddin said this was based on experience.

Nizam then said Awaluddin also said in 2016 police and a few Islamic groups were trying trace the converts.

The lawyer then asks who they were attempting to trace, which Awaluddin said they have information on them.

They have to trace those who are unidentified and take steps to rehabilitate them, Awaluddin added. 

9.30am: Amri family lawyer Nizam Bashir asks Awaluddin about a speech in 2016 in which he said there were many homeless and those with AIDS who have become Christian priests.

Nizam said Awaluddin implied that many Malays have become Christian priests.

The lawyer then asks if he was referring to any fact.

Awaluddin said he was referring to information and intelligence that they had received. – July 5, 2018.