THE Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) public inquiry into the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh and three others, Joshua Hilmy, his wife Ruth, and Amri Che Mat, enters its second day.

Today’s session resumes with Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, as the first witness.

More than 15 people have been subpoenaed to attend the inquiry and, to date, the commission has interviewed 35 people, including family members of the missing four, police and interested parties. Among those subpoenaed is former inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.

Police have disclosed very little about the status of investigations since Koh’s disappearance on February 13 this year, and Liew has said several times that police have failed to keep the family informed.

The main aim of the inquiry is to determine if these are cases of enforced disappearance, a term which describes abductions involving the authorities.

Yesterday’s witness Roeshan Gomez told the inquiry that he witnessed Koh’s abduction and after describing what he saw to the investigating officer, was told that this could be “similar to how a police operation is conducted”.

The inquiry is chaired by Suhakam commissioners Mah Weng Kwai, Aishah Bidin and Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh and is held at the human rights body’s headquarters at Menara TH in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysian Insight brings you live updates from the inquiry:

5pm: The hearing ends. Commissioner Mah says Jonathan will be called again as a witness. Hearing will resume on October 30. 

4.35pm: The inquiry calls the fourth witness, Pastor Koh’s son, Jonathan. 

Suhakam officers ask him how many police reports he has lodged since Koh went missing. 

Jonathan said the first report was lodged on February 14 at the Kelana Jaya police station. 

“After I lodged the missing persons report I was questioned by the police. Most of the questions was on whether Koh was prosetylising around Malaysia. 

“The second police report was lodged on February 27.”

4.10pm: Sri Ram tells the panel he was questioned by ASP Supari, who asked him who he thought had kidnapped Koh, to which he replied, the police.

The police observers ask Sri Ram to revoke the statement, to which the panel objects. The panel allows the statement. The panel says Sri Ram is allowed to make the statement because it was what he had said to Supari.

Commissioner Mah tells police observers that if Supari wishes to object, he should attend the inquiry. 

3.30pm: Suhakam officers ask Sri Ram to state his relationship with Koh.

Sreeram said he knew Koh since 1977 when Koh came to give a talk at the Bukit Bintang Boys school in Petaling Jaya.

“Since then, I joined his church in 1999 and in 2004 I joined Harapan Komuniti as a director.” 

3.10pm: The inquiry resumes with G. Sri Ram called as the third witness. 

12.35pm: The inquiry is adjourned. The session will continue at 2.30pm after Friday prayers. Commissioner Mah thanks Liew for her assistance. 

11.55am: Koh family lawyers ask Liew about her experience like dealing with the police and what the police questioning focused on.

Liew said the police mainly asked about Koh’s alleged proselytising instead of his disappearance.

Koh family lawyer ask Liew how she felt about the process.

Liew said she was disappointed because the police did not keep her properly updated on developments.

“It has been 248 days since Raymond has gone missing. I’m still at a loss as there is no information from the police about my husband’s whereabouts.

“I’m hoping and praying that this inquiry can bring some form of closure for me and my family. We want to discover the truth and hopefully, my missing husband.”

11.30am: Panel asks Liew about Harapan Komuniti, a non-profit undertaking Koh set up to help the underprivileged and marginalised.

Liew said the centre was set up to help teach children and do community work.

The panel asked Liew if there was discrimination between who could attend the classes at the centre, to which she replied that the classes were open to all races.

The panel asked Liew if the centre was involved in preaching in any way.

Liew said Koh had specifically told the volunteers that there would be no preaching or talking about religion.

“The volunteers are from different colleges and of all races.” 

11am: The inquiry takes a 15-minute break.

10.45am: Suhakam officers ask Liew if Koh was harassed before the abduction. 

Liew said the only such incident occurred in August 2011 when Selangor Religious Islamic Department (Jais) raided the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) where Koh was hosting a dinner which had Muslim guests. 

“About 50 officers from Jais and police raided the event. They rushed in without any permission. 

“After the incident Raymond received a letter with two bullets in the mail. 

“We also got stopped by Malaysian immigration while entering Singapore and other countries. 

“Koh was stopped nine times and I was stopped seven times when entering Singapore. Each time we were referred to the police (special branch).”

10.10am: Liew said on March 23, they had a meeting with former inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.

“Khalid contacted us to meet him at Hilton Kuala Lumpur. We talked about our family concerns and the police investigations. I also gave a letter to Khalid and asked him about Raymond’s investigations.

“He told us not speak to the press or attend candlelight vigils.”

Liew asked Khalid if Koh were still alive and was told that they didn’t have any information on the matter.

9.45am: Suhakam officers ask Liew if police contacted her on any information on Koh.

Liew said since then, there was no new development from the police.

“They also told us not to talk to the media as it will impact (on) the investigations.

“What we know is what we read in the media. Mainly (it) is our initiative to ask the police on the progress.”

Liew said on March 6, they had a meeting with Selangor police Criminal Investigation Department chief Fadzil Ahmad.

“He said there were no significant leads. He then showed us photos of the rear of Raymond’s car – the Honda Accord, Toyota Unser and one SUV which was taken I think after the abduction. I don’t know when. The photo was taken near Jalan Persiaran Tropicana.”

The panel then asked Liew to confirm if it was Koh’s car.

Liew confirmed that it was Koh’s car, bearing the number plate ST5515D.

Liew said she was not told anything about Fadzil’s photos.

“I asked whether they could trace the other two cars, the police said the number plates were not registered so can’t trace.

“I also asked Fadzil for copies of the CCTV recordings along the highway.”

9.25am: A Suhakam officer asks if Liew lodged a police report when she found out that Koh went missing.

Liew said when she suspected Koh was missing, she called lawyer Philip Koh and he suggested she make a missing person’s report.

“It was not like Raymond to miss our 4pm meeting in Klang. I tried calling him, but it went to voicemail.

“Then I contacted Philip, who suggested we make a police report.

“When we went to police station at 10pm and said we want to make a police report, they ushered us into an investigation room.

“Inspector Ali (Asra) was there and started to ask questions until 3am.

“One of the questions I was repeatedly asked is whether he was involved in proselytising.”

9.15am: Suhakam officers ask Liew when was the last she saw Koh.

Liew said the last time she saw Koh was at 10am on February 13 at Puncak Damansara.

“I was waiting for my friend at Puncak Damansara when Raymond came (to pick up) a food item (belacan) from a friend.

“He didn’t act strangely and collected the belacan and left. He was there from 10.10am to 10.15am.

“I was supposed to met up with Raymond later in the day to go to Klang at 4pm. He was wearing a light grey polo shirt and grey pants when he went missing.” – October 20, 2017.