INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun’s successor should investigate the Malaysian Human Rights Commission’s (Suhakam) finding that the police’s Special Branch was behind the disappearances of two activists over two years ago.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this when asked to comment on calls for Fuzi to resign or be suspended from duty pending investigations.

“He is going to retire soon. Let him retire, first. Let the new IGP conduct the investigation,” he told a press conference after a Bersatu supreme council meeting in Petaling Jaya tonight.

Earlier today, Suhakam, which conducted a public inquiry into the disappearances of Pastor Raymond Koh and Perlis Hope founder Amri Che Mat, concluded that it was the Special Branch that had abducted the two activists.

Suhakam commissioner Mah Weng Kwai said the two men were snatched by Special Branch teams from federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman, and were never found again.

Fuzi, who is due to retire next month, was Bukit Aman Special Branch director when Amri disappeared in November 2016, and Koh in February 2017. 

Following the announcement of the findings, Fuzi said he would only respond after reading Suhakam’s report.

Dr Mahathir said the government would take up the matter if there was evidence.

“I think they must produce some evidence… I don’t know if they have evidence to prove this is what happened. If they have evidence, we will of course take it up.

“But please remember that this did not happen during our (Pakatan Harapan) government, but during the previous government (administration).

“A lot of things that happened then were hidden from us and the public,” he said.

Dr Mahathir also said if there was clear evidence, a task force would be set up to look into the matter.

Among others, Suhakam had recommended that an independent task force be set up to reinvestigate the disappearances.

Suhakam said the appointed task force members must not have current or prior involvement with criminal investigations into the two cases.

They must also not have any connection to the Special Branch units in Perlis and Bukit Aman, and Perlis and Selangor Islamic authorities.

Koh, according to a police report lodged against him months after he disappeared, had allegedly been proselytising to young people up north.

Amri was reportedly under police surveillance over alleged Shia links. – April 3, 2019.