THE fourth day of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) inquiry into the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh and three others continues today.

The inquiry is seeking to determine if the cases of Koh, Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth, and social activist Amri Che Mat, are cases of enforced disappearance with the involvement of the authorities.

The panel, chaired by Suhakam commissioner Mah Weng Kwai, has so far been focused on Koh’s disappearance on February 13 and has heard testimonies from this wife Susanna Liew, son Jonathan, Roeshan Gomez, who was driving behind Koh’s car when the abduction took place, Harapan Komuniti director G. Sri Ram, and former inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.

Khalid, who was the last witness, said he did not think the abduction was a “special operation” by professionals and that the abductors could have learnt their moves from movies of TV.

Jonathan, meanwhile, told the panel that police seemed more interested in investigating his father’s alleged proselytising rather than his abduction.

Mah has said the panel might also call witnesses from Jais (Selangor Islamic Religious Department).

Other Suhakam commissioners on the panel are Aishah Bidin and Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh.

Inspector Ali Asrar from the Petaling Jaya police headquarters is today’s first witness.

The Malaysian Insight brings you live updates from today’s proceedings:

4.45pm: The inquiry ends. It will resume tomorrow morning.

4.35pm: The panel asked Supari if there were any reports lodged on the gathering at DUMC that was organised by Koh in 2011.

Supari said a total of 78 police reports had been lodged against Koh between 2011 and 2012.

“The reports were lodged by civil society organisations and individuals. They were not satisfied with what Koh was doing.”

Supari said police had interviewed 28 people in relation to the case.

“We interviewed family members, friends, Komuniti Harapan (members) and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department.”

4.05pm: Suhakam officers asked Supari what had happened to the suspects nabbed in the raid up north.

Supari said the four suspects arrested (in relation to Koh’s abduction) were released on police bail.

“The four suspects were remanded for 13 days. There was an identification parade, and Gomez was called in, but the results were negative.

“The four suspects were then released. SAC Fadzil said the case was ‘NFA’ (no further action).”

3.15pm: Suhakam officers ask Supari who is the officer in charge of the investigations and if he had taken a sketch or photos at the crime scene.

Supari said that they have photos and a sketch of the crime scene but can’t disclose it to the panel.

“The photos and sketch are part of the investigation and is confidential. If the panel wants it then they have to refer to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.” 

2.55pm: The inquiry calls ASP Supari Mohamad to take the witness stand. 

2.30pm: During the break, Pastor Koh’s family celebrated his birthday by cutting a cake at the inquiry.

Susanna Liew said that she was very happy to be at the inquiry with her children and to be able to celebrate Koh’s 63rd birthday.

“Even if he is not around, hopefully we will see him soon. To bring many answers to the questions that is going in our minds and on every one else minds.

“We hope that with the police’s expertise the investigation will see progress.

“We are sad that he is not here, we are hopeful he will be released soon and will be in good mental health and strength.”

1.20pm: The police observers ask the panel to strike out from Suhakam report everything that was discuss about the ID.

Mah said whatever that is mentioned about the ID will remain on record. 

“We take note. There is nothing ground-shaking about the ID. It will remain in our records.”

tThe police observers also told the media not to report about the ID.

The inquiry takes an hour break for lunch.

12.40pm: Koh’s family lawyers ask Ali why was Liew questioned from 10pm to 3am and did he only allow her to leave after she complained she was tired.

The lawyers also ask about his questions to Liew on proselytising.

Ali said that he was given orders by his superiors to ask all the questions.

“We had to ask her all the questions, which included Koh’s activities, about her family and other things.

“But, we stopped the interview after she complained that she was tired.

“I was also ordered to hand over the case to Supari by DSP Sazali Adam.”

11.55am: Koh’s family lawyers asked Ali when Pastor Koh’s wife Susanna Liew came to gave her statement why was she repeatedly asked whether Koh was proselytising.

Ali said he was only tasked take her statements and ask questions that was given to him.

“ASP Supari was the one that asked to put forward the questions on proselytising.”

The lawyers then asked Ali if this was an abduction case why did he keep asking Liew about proselytising.

Ali again said that it was ASP Supari was the one that asked him to get information on Koh proselytising.

The lawyers then asked Ali to clarify if the abduction could maybe be a police operation, which he agreed.

11.15am: The inquiry takes a 10 minute break.

10.45am: Suhakam commissioner Mah asks Ali if he kept a diary of the events that occurred on February 13. 

Ali acknowledged that he has an investigation diary (ID). 

When Mah asks Ali to show the panel the diary, he told the commissioners they have to get the consent of the Attorney-General’s Chambers. 

Mah said the panel is entitled to see the ID under the Suhakam Act.  

Police observers said the ID is classified and cannot be handed over to the panel. 

“We would like to ask for a postponement to refer to the Attorney-General’s Chambers before handing over the ID because the investigations are ongoing.”

Mah said if each time the panel has to ask for evidence and is denied it because investigations are ongoing, then it might as well “pack up and leave”.

“We should be allowed to look at the ID because we want to check the dates stated by Ali. It is to collaborate the statements he made.”

The police observers then stood up to object and Mah told his officers to go and get the ID from Ali. The officer then passed the ID to the panel. 

10.05am: Suhakam officers ask Ali what did he do after interviewing the first witness, Gomez.

Ali said after the interview on February 13, he went to the scene of the crime to look for evidence to assist in the investigations.

“We found glass shards and a broken number plate at the scene. 

“After I returned from the scene, I handed the case over to ASP Supari. I was relieved of my duties in the case at 4pm on the same day. I was only involved in the initial investigations.”

Suhakam officers then ask Ali why did he call Gomez on February 14 to interview him again when he said he was no longer involved in the case. 

Ali said that he was continuing to assist in the investigations. 

“I was asked to help record statements.”

9.30am: Suhakam officers ask Ali if he gave his views on the abduction to the first witness Roeshan Gomez during his investigations.

Ali said when Gomez asked him about the abduction, he told him that it looks like the person involved in the incident got arrested.

“I just gave my views that it could possibly be that the abduction looks like a police operation.”

The Suhakam officers ask why did he (Ali) say it was a police operation and if all abductions are police operations, to which he replied “No”.

Ali told Gomez there was no police operation that day. 

9.28am: Selangor CID chief Fadzil Ahmat, Fadzil Che Mat and Inspector Ali Asrar are witnesses today. – November 2, 2017.