KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court on Wednesday ordered the government and police to pay RM37 million to the family of Pastor Raymond Koh, who was abducted in 2017.
Here are some things we know about the case of the disappearance of the man:
Feb 13, 2017: Koh leaves his home in Petaling Jaya at 10.15am. Half an hour later, his car is witnessed being surrounded by three other vehicles along Jalan SS4B/10 in Kelana Jaya. Koh is pulled out of his car, the entire abduction being captured on CCTV from nearby houses.
June 16, 2017: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) announces it will investigate Koh’s abduction.
Aug 9, 2017: Suhakam announces a public inquiry into the disappearances of four people, including Koh.
Oct 19, 2017: The public inquiry begins.
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Jan 15, 2018: Suhakam suspends inquiry after receiving a letter from the police stating a man named Lam Chang Nam was charged in connection with the case.
May 16, 2018: Suhakam decides that the court case and its inquiry are separate matters. The inquiry is resumed.
Dec 7, 2018: Suhakam releases its findings, finding that Koh’s abduction was an “enforced disappearance” by members of the police Special Branch.
June 26, 2019: The government forms a special task force to investigate enforced disappearances. The task force identifies one Saiful Bahari Abd Aziz, a contract worker linked to Bukit Aman’s Special Branch, as a key suspect. A gold Toyota Vios registered under Saiful’s name was seen near the abduction site and also in another case, the disappearance of Amri Che Mat.
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As of today, Pastor Raymond Koh’s whereabouts remain unknown.
But, the Kuala Lumpur High Court today ruled that the government and police were liable for negligence, misfeasance of public office, breach of statutory duty and infringement of fundamental liberties in Koh’s enforced disappearance.
Judge Datuk Su Tiang Joo ordered both the government and police to pay Koh’s family RM10,000 a day from the date he was abducted until his whereabouts are disclosed.
The figure amounts to more than RM31 million for 3,187 days, till today. Su also awarded exemplary and aggravated damages of RM6 million.
The court found that the coordination observed in the abduction, which occurred under a minute, the precision of execution, and the involvement of trained personnel demonstrate pre-planning and prior training.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
