INDONESIAN Ram Ram Elisabeth believes older sister Ruth Sitepu is a victim of enforced disappearance, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) heard today.

She is convinced that Ruth was forcibly taken away as frequent phone calls between them had stopped suddenly.

“I’m convince that she was forcibly taken because we are always in contact through the phone.

“Even if she went somewhere, she would always call us and find out about us,” the 48-year-old Ram Ram told the panel today.

International human rights laws define enforced disappearance as when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organisation, or by a third party with the authorisation, support or acquiescence of a state or political organisation.

Ram Ram and brother Iman Setiawan Sitepu, 39, flew to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to testify at the Suhakam’s public inquiry into the disappearance of Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth.

They are expected to return to Nambiki, north Sumatera once they have completed giving their testimonies.

In today’s proceedings, Ram Ram was asked by a Suhakam officer how often would Ruth call her.

Ram Ram said Ruth was in constant contact with her family in Nambiki.

“She calls at least twice a month and she was always very happy. She would also always tell us to come visit her in Malaysia.”

The Suhakam officer asked how Ram Ram knew that Ruth went missing.

She said it is through their nephew, Harry, who is working in Malaysia and has frequent contact with Ruth.

“Harry use to frequently contact Ruth, but after sometime he could not reach her. He then informed our family in Indonesia.

“We were informed in December but Harry lost contact with her in November 2016.”

Ram Ram told the panel that they visited the house in Kg Tunku, Petaling Jaya where Ruth and Joshua were staying, when they came to Malaysia to lodge a police report in 2018.

“The house looked unlived in for some time. But Joshua and Ruth’s clothes were still there. There was food in refrigerator and the Christmas decorations were still up.”

Ram Ram said Joshua and Ruth got married in Malaysia but their marriage certificate is from Batam, Indonesia.

She also said the family is disappointed as there have been no updates from the police on the missing couple.

“We are confused with the lack of information and the efforts by the police.

“We are worried about her safety and we all miss her. Please help return Ruth and Joshua to us,” Ram Ram said in tears.

Little else is known about Joshua and Ruth, who are suspected to be victims of enforced disappearance.

In 2018, two years after their disappearance, Ruth’s siblings lodged a missing persons report.

The Suhakam panel is chaired by commissioner Hishamuddin Yunus, assisted by commissioners Jerald Joseph and Madeline Berma. – March 4, 2020.