THE men who abducted Pastor Raymond Koh in such a professional manner could have picked up their skills from watching TV, former inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar told a Suhakam panel of inquiry today.

The retired cop was subpoenaed to appear in the hearing by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) investigating the disappearance of the pastor and three other Malaysians.

Given a viewing of footage of the abduction, Khalid admitted that the operation appeared well-organised, but said he had seen better.

To a question from Bar Council lawyers on whether the masked abductors, who drove up in three black SUVs, looked like professionals, Khalid said they could have learnt the moves from “the movies or TV”.

Asked if he believed the abduction was a “special operation”, Khalid said “no”.

Khalid confirmed that he had told Raymond’s family not to speak to the media or attend candlelight vigils held for him, because he did not wish to have the investigation compromised.

“I told Raymond’s wife Susanna Liew that we will do everything to investigate the incident. I also asked for their cooperation,” he said.

Lawyers engaged by the Raymond family reminded Khalid that three social activist groups had taken the case to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances, and that the UN viewed the lack of progress on the case as police inaction.

In response, Khalid said that 10,207 people were reported missing between 2014 and last month

“Since 2014 till now, 751 people are still missing.

“Why doesn’t the UN ask about all the others? They are commenting on the inaction because a report was lodged with the UN.”

Asked to respond to Raymond’s wife, Susanna Liew’s claims that she was disappointed in the police who seemed to be investigating her husband for proselytisation instead of looking for him, Khalid said police reports had been filed in Perlis against the pastor for proselytising.

“We were investigating Raymond from all angles. We had to look into his background and activities.

“We were also carrying on with the main investigation (into the abduction).”

Raymond’s family have repeatedly complained that they were not receiving information from the police on the status of the investigation into the pastor’s abduction, which took place on February 13.

They also said that during questioning, the police had appeared to be more interested in finding out if Raymond was guilty of proselytising.

At the hearing today, the pastor’s son Jonathan Koh said he had been frustrated at the police’s line of questioning.

“The police was more interested to know whether Raymond was proselytising.

“I was frustrated because they were not interested in his abduction and the lack of information given.

“They also asked about his visits to the villagers in Kedah to proselytise,” Jonathan told the Suhakam panel.

The panel is also probing the disappearance of Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth, both last seen in November last year, and activist Amri Che Mat, also reported missing last year.

The inquiry aims to determine if these are cases of enforced disappearance, a term describing abductions perpetrated by the state or political organisations.

The panel of inquiry is made up of Suhakam commissioners Mah Weng Kwai, Aishah Bidin, and Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleha.

Witnesses who have testified are Raymond’s son Jonathan, Raymond’s wife Susanna Liew, Roeshan Gomez, who was driving behind Raymond’s car when the abduction took place, and Harapan Komuniti director G. Sri Ram. – October 30, 2017.