A NEW witness has been summoned by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to testify in the inquiry into Pastor Raymond Koh’s disappearance, which will come to an end next month.

Suhakam Complaints and Monitoring Group deputy secretary Simon Karunagaram, who declined to name the witness, said the person will be subpoenaed soon.

“This will be the last witness for Koh’s case, and then the panel will close the inquiry on him,” he said after attending a closed-door meeting with the panel, Koh’s family lawyers and police observers today.

Karunagaram said Former Special Branch Commissioner Awaluddin Jadid will also be attending the last hearing for Koh on December 7.

Koh was abducted in Petaling Jaya last year by about 15 men in three black SUVs. The abduction, which took place during the day, was said to be well coordinated.

The inquiry is chaired by commissioners Mah Weng Kwai, Prof Aishah Bidin and Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh.

On the inquiry into the disappearance of Perlis activist Amri Che Mat, which was closed last month but subjected to be opened if there is new evidence, Karunagaram said that the panel had decided to close the case for good.

“There are no additional witnesses so Amri’s case has been closed and there will be no more inquiry.”

As for the disappearance of Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth, Karunagaram said the panel will decide on when their inquiry will start.

The Suhakam inquiry wants to determine whether the disappearances of Koh, Perlis Hope founder Amri Che Mat, as well as pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth, are cases of enforced disappearance sanctioned by the state. – November 15, 2018.