The wife of missing Pastor Raymond Koh says today’s High Court ruling has brought some long-awaited closure and vindication for the family after nearly nine years of anguish and uncertainty over her husband’s disappearance.
“After nearly nine years of the loss of a husband and father, anguish and uncertainty, the judgment brings a long-awaited decision,” said Susanna Liew after the court ordered the government and police to pay more than RM37 million in damages to Koh’s family.
She also commended sergeant Shamzaini Shamzaini Daud of the police’s Special Branch, whom she said had the courage to reveal the truth about the abduction.
“It will be remiss of us not to mention one man who stood up against overwhelming odds and pressure, who revealed the truth which enabled us to reach this far.
“He is none other than sergeant Shamzaini of the Special Branch of the police force,” she said at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur court complex here.
Koh was abducted in broad daylight on Feb 13, 2017, along Jalan SS4B/10 in Petaling Jaya.
The High Court found that one or more of the defendants, who are current and former police officers, were involved in the abduction and had acted under an “order” eight years ago.
Liew had sued the police and the government over the state’s involvement in Koh’s disappearance and the manner in which the authorities investigated the case.
Today, Liew pointed out that both a Suhakam inquiry and a special task force had confirmed that police officers were involved in the abductions of Koh as well as activist Amri Che Mat.
She expressed disappointment that the government failed to act on the recommendations made or to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
“We were so disappointed that no action was taken against the officers mentioned in the report and that there was no Royal Commission of Inquiry on the disappearance of both Koh and Amri,” she said.
While today’s judgment would not bring her husband back, Liew said it represented justice and closure for the family.
“Though this will not bring Koh back, it is somewhat a vindication and a closure for our family.
“We dedicate this struggle and judgment to Koh, a man of faith, compassion and courage, and to all victims of enforced disappearance,” she said.
