MORE questions are being asked following the announcement by police today that Pastor Raymond Koh may have been abducted by a human trafficking syndicate linked to groups in southern Thailand.

Top most is why would a 62-year-old man be abducted in a military-style abduction and what use would he have for a human trafficking syndicate.

Citizen Action Group On Enforced Disappearance (Caged) member Rama Ramanathan asked what benefit would the syndicate get in abducting a pastor and why of all people Koh.

“Now the police are saying it’s a trafficking case. Raymond is above 60 years old and why do they need to carry out a military-style abduction for such a person?

“The police have also found the license plates of Koh’s car and photos of his house. Why would they keep these items?” Rama told The Malaysian Insight.

Rama suggested that the police talk to Koh’s family first instead of alerting the media of the developments in the investigation into the pastor’s abduction.

Koh was abducted in Petaling Jaya on February 13 by about 15 men in three black SUVs. The abduction, which took place during the day, appeared to be well-coordinated.

Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said that a transborder syndicate involved in the trafficking of people, drugs and arms may be responsible for Koh’s abduction.

He said the information and suspicion were based on statements recorded from three syndicate members who were arrested in a special operation in Perak on June 17.

Khalid said police’s suspicion is based on the information from the three suspects. The syndicate’s mastermind was killed in the June 17 operation.

Another Caged member Sevan Doraisamy said since that operation occurred more than a month ago, there should be more information forthcoming from the police.

“Is there a connection between the dead trafficker and the abduction of Koh? And if there was, what was the connection?” Sevan asked.

Sevan also said that like previous announcements made by the IGP about alleged breakthroughs in Koh’s case, the police should have briefed the family before announcing it to the media.

“It is very disconcerting for Koh’s family to read about such breakthroughs and even allegations about Koh through the media all the time,” he said.

Last month Susanna Liew, the wife of missing Pastor Koh, had asked for a full explanation from the police on the progress into her husband’s case, saying that she has yet to be briefed by authorities.

Liew had said, like the rest of Malaysia, all she knew was what she had read in the media.

A spokesperson for the family told The Malaysian Insight today there has been no effort on the part of the police to reach out to the family to arrange for a proper update.

The family declined further comment. – July 25, 2017.