FORMER police legal affairs chief Mokhtar Mohd Nor has withdrawn from the Home Ministry’s task force looking into an inquiry’s findings that the abductions of Pastor Raymond Koh and activist Amri Che Mat were possibly the work of the Special Branch.

Mokhtar’s withdrawal follows a public outcry over the composition of the panel, the ministry said in a statement today.

“Mokhtar has withdrawn voluntarily to protect the integrity of the special task force following questions about his suitability.”

The ministry noted that several civil society organisations had questioned his appointment as he is alleged to have been involved in the Koh and Amri cases.

“The allegation is not true as Mokhtar was neither a witness or police officer who investigated both cases.

“Mohktar’s appointment was based on his professional credentials and expertise as the former police legal affairs chief,” said the ministry.

The ministry said that a replacement will be announced soon.

The government last week announced a six-man task force to look into the findings by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) on the enforced disappearances of Koh and Amri.

The task force is led by former High Court judge Abdul Rahim Uda and comprises representatives from the police, Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission.

However, following the appointments, both Koh’s and Amri’s family criticised the inclusion of Mokhtar as he was previously at the Suhakam hearing submitting on behalf of the police. – July 2, 2019.