KHALID Abu Bakar found out about missing activist Amri Che Mat in the news, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) inquiry heard today.

The former inspector-general of police said he was not aware that the Perlis Hope founder was missing until hearing about it through the media.

“I only knew he was missing after hearing (about it in) the news. I was then briefed that it was a missing persons case,” he told the inquiry today.

Khalid was summoned to testify by Suhakam, which is investigating the case of Amri, who went missing on November 24, 2016.

In May this year, Amri’s wife, Norhayati Ariffin, told the inquiry that her husband had been under police surveillance around the time he was abducted, and Khalid had known about it.

Khalid said he was briefed by an officer from the Perlis police headquarters after finding out about the case.

“I can’t remember which officer from Perlis briefed me. It happened up north. But, inquiry papers were opened to investigate his (Amri’s) disappearance.”

Suhakam officers asked Khalid if he knew Amri was under police surveillance around the time of his disappearance, to which the former top cop said he only knew it as a missing persons case.

“The case was talked about a lot on social media, and I was periodically briefed on its status.”

Asked by Suhakam officers whether he had given instructions for Amri to be investigated, Khalid said he had not.

Asked if a task force was formed to probe into the disappearance, Khalid said “no”.

The Suhakam officers asked Khalid if he had given orders for Shia activities in the country to be monitored.

He said police had an understanding with religious authorities, and he had instructed his men to assist religious officers.

It is believed that Amri was being monitored over his alleged involvement in forex activities and Shia teachings, and that he was abducted by a group of men in 4WD vehicles in Kg Padang Behor.

Suhakam is conducting a public inquiry into the disappearance of Amri, Pastor Raymond Koh, Pastor Joshua Hilmy and Joshua’s wife, Ruth, to ascertain if they are cases of enforced disappearance. – August 28, 2018.