HUMAN rights society Hakam today expressed concern over the disappearance of former PJ councillor Peter Chong Fook Meng and four others who have gone missing in the past six months, adding that such incidents should not become part and parcel of our way of life.

“We do not wish to see our country descend into a lawless state where such disappearances become part and parcel of our way of life,” said Hakam president S. Ambiga.

She said although Hakam supports police’s efforts in investigating these disappearances, more must be done and be seen to be done by the authorities.

She hoped police would do what was needed to ensure that the victims were reunited with their families.

Ambiga also urged the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to address the matter directly with the police and the home minister.

She said the abduction and disappearance of several people lately, including Chong, in certain circumstances indicated the use of extra legal means by highly trained individuals.

Such abductions, she said, in international human rights law were called “forced disappearances” which were supported by the state or organisation which went against international human rights law and undermined the rule of law.

Chong disappeared on April 5, almost two months after Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted. Chong went missing after he went out to meet a friend for a drink on April 5. Prior to the disappearance, the 54-year-old posted on his Facebook page a meeting with a stranger who warned him to be careful.

The stranger said he recognised Chong because he liked to go to protests and candlelight vigils. 

Chong’s disappearance followed that of Koh, social activist Amri Che Mat, Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth.

On Saturday, Ambiga attended a gathering organised by Suaram at Dataran Merdeka to raise awareness of the missing Koh, Amri, Joshua and Ruth. She told a crowd of about 150 that all four worked for the poor and needy, they did things that other people did not want to do and they should not be treated this way. – April 10, 2017.