FORMER inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has been subpoenaed by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) public inquiry on the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh and three other activists tomorrow.

Suhakam commissioner Mah Weng Kwai said Khalid was served the letter last week.

“We have sent him the letter, and we were told that he had received it. We have also subpoenaed an officer from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).

“Whether they come or not, we can’t say. All witnesses are important and we are only interested to find out the truth,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

More than 15 people have been subpoenaedm and the commission has interviewed 35 people, including family members of the missing four, police and interested parties.

Suhakam has subpoenaed the witnesses according to the provisions under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 (Act 597), which empowers it to question witnesses in cases of suspected infringement of human rights.

The commission can also act against those who fail to turn up after being subpoenaed, under Section 174 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to a month and a fine not exceeding RM1,000, or both.

Suhakam will hold a public inquiry into the disappearance of Koh, and social activist Amri Che Mat, Pastor Joshua Hilmi and wife, Ruth, beginning tomorrow.

Koh, 62, went missing after he was abducted by a group of men in a convoy on February 13, while Amri, 44, was reported missing since last year.

Joshua and his wife were last seen by friends in November last year before disappearing without a trace.

The inquiry will be chaired by Mah, with commissioner Dr Aishah Bidin, a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia law professor, and commissioner Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh, a law professor at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.

Mah said the public inquiry was to find out more information’s on what had happened to the missing four.

“We have been hearing bits and pieces in the media, what the family has been saying and what Khalid had said. So, we want to give this opportunity to everyone to come and tell us exactly what had happened.

“We also want to ask whether the investigations by the police have been sufficient.”

He said Suhakam wanted to determine if these are cases of enforced disappearance, a term to describe abductions that have the involvement of the authorities.

“Whether it was in breach of criminal law or civil law and human rights. It may not be criminal in nature, but due to negligence.

“For example the evidence was there but was overlooked or action was not taken fast enough. Then, we have to identify the persons or agency involved.”

Mah said that lawyers representing the family of Koh, the Bar Council and the police would be at the inquiry as observers.

“If they want to ask questions, they will have to ask leave from the panel. Then we will allow them to ask the witness questions and it has to be relevant to the issue.”

He said two Suhakam assistant officers  would question witnesses.

Mah said after the inquiry, Suhakam would prepare a report and submit it to the authorities.

“The report will contain the findings of the inquiry and recommendations. It will also form part of our records and it will be submitted as part of our annual report to parliament,” he added.

The inquiry is expected to end on November 17. – October 18, 2017.