THE Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) public inquiry into missing activist Amri Che Mat continues today with lawyers expected to cross-examine former Special Branch commissioner Awaluddin Jadid.

Early this year, Amri’s wife, Norhayati Ariffin, claimed that the senior officer from Bukit Aman had knowledge of her husband’s abduction.

Awaluddin, who will be appearing before the inquiry for the second time today, was put on the spot when he could not explain to Suhakam the purpose of his visit to the Perlis mufti’s office.

He told the inquiry two weeks ago that the visit was a courtesy call to the mufti, Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin.

However, Amri’s family lawyer, Nizam Bashir, questioned Awaluddin that if his visit were a courtesy call, why was there a PowerPoint slide presentation and folders prepared by his team division for the meeting.

Awaluddin was then asked about a picture on the PowerPoint slide showing Amri’s house.

Nizam asked Awaluddin to confirm if that was Amri’s house, to which he acknowledged that it was, but he also claimed that it was a Shia centre.

However, despite being asked repeatedly, Awaluddin maintained it was a courtesy call and not a briefing on Amri’s activities in Perlis.

Amri was allegedly being investigated for spreading Shia teachings.

He went missing on November 24, 2016 after 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.

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

The Malaysian Insight brings live updates of today’s proceedings. – July 23, 2018.

12.05pm: Louis asked Awaluddin what was the purpose of him giving the interview to the newspapers.

He said it was educate the youth to be aware of Shia teachings.

Munusamy asked Awaluddin who will he inform if he discovered Shia activities, to which he replied that he would tell his superiors.

The inquiry ends and will resume tomorrow.

11.50am: Louis asked Awaluddin if he considered the Shia as a national threat, and if Amri was also a threat.

Awaluddin said they did not focus on Amri, but on the Shia in general, and they didn’t investigate individuals.

Police observer Sentul Police Chief R. Munusamy then asked him what was his division’s job scope.

Awaluddin said their job is to study and survey groups that carry out activities and teachings that go against the norm.

11.15am: Amri family lawyer Larissa Anne Louis asked Awaluddin about a news report that stated there are 3 million Shia practitioners in Malaysia.

The report also stated that police had claimed that the Shias are getting bolder.

Awaluddin said that the figures were wrongly reported by a Malay newspaper as they were too high.

He said there could only be about 3,000 Shia practitioners in Malaysia.

10.35am: Nizam asked Awaluddin if he agreed that Perlis Hope is a charitable organization and if they are carrying out legal activities.

Awaluddin said that he disagreed that they were carrying out legal activities.

Nizam asked Awaluddin if Perlis Hope is a front to spread Shia, and he replied in the affirmative.

Nizam asked Awaluddin if anyone from Perlis Hope has been charged for spreading Shia teachings to date.

He said no.

The lawyer then asked if Bukit Aman had carried out any independent surveillance on Perlis Hope, to which Awaluddin replied no.

The inquiry takes a break.

10.25am: Nizam then asked Awaluddin if spreading Shia within a home is considered extremism.

Awaluddin said that there is a national fatwa regarding the Shia and their job is to conduct surveillance and collect information.

Nizam asked Awaluddin what is the source of his information that Amri was spreading Shia teachings.

Awaluddin said that it was based on information that was channelled to him.

Nizam asked Awaluddin where did he get his information from.

Awaluddin said from open and closed sources.

Nizam ask are the sources also from Perlis Special Branch, to which he said yes.

10.15am: Nizam asked Awaluddin if Asri considered Amri as Shia.

Awaluddin said that it was not within his knowledge as his division’s duty is to collect intelligence.

Nizam asked Awaluddin if extremism was discussed during his meeting with Asri.

Awaluddin said they spoke on extremism and other issues.

Nizam asked Awaluddin what are the elements of extremism discussed, to which he replied that he can’t remember.

9.50am: Nizam asked Awaluddin if Asri had asked him to take action against Shia whom he said are extremists.

Awaluddin said that it was not to his knowledge.

Nizam then ask Awaluddin how could he not know what was spoken when he was at the meeting.

Awaluddin again said that it was not within his knowledge.

9.30am: Former Special Branch Commissioner Awaluddin Jadid continues his testimony today.

Amri family lawyer Nizam Bashir asked Awaluddin about Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin’s testimony on April 12.

Nizam said that Asri had said that no action was taken against Perlis Hope even though he believed that there are elements of extremism in the group.

Nizam asked Awaluddin what else did Asri convey to him, but he said it is not within his knowledge.