KUALA LUMPUR: Norhayati Mohd Arifin, the then-wife of social activist Amri Che Mat was awarded more than RM3 million by the High Court on Wednesday over his disappearance in 2016.
This is what we do know about the case:
Nov 24, 2016: Amri is seen by his eldest daughter, Nur Masarrah, leaving their home in Kangar at 11.30pm. He drove off in his black Toyota Fortuner. A witness saw three vehicles boxing in Amri’s SUV in Jalan Padang Behor, less than 1km from his home.
Nov 25, 2016: Someone finds Amri’s car at 12.30am, abandoned at an abandoned construction site in Bukit Chabang. Three of the windows had been smashed.
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Jan 22, 2018: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commences a public inquiry into Amri’s disappearance.
March 21, 2018: Workshop owner Vee Yak Ban Jong testifies that three vehicles had been parked across the road from his premises for three consecutive days before Amri’s disappearance. One is a gold-coloured Toyota Vios, the same one in another case of abduction, that of Pastor Raymond Koh.
Nov 15, 2018: The public inquiry concludes.
April 3, 2019: Suhakam releases its findings, concluding that Amri was a victim of “enforced disappearance” involving “state agents”.
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June 26, 2019: The government forms a special task force to review cases of alleged enforced disappearance. The task force identifies one Saiful Bahari Abd Aziz, a contract worker linked to Bukit Aman’s Special Branch, as a key suspect. The gold-coloured Toyota Vios is registered under Saiful’s name.
To date, Amri remains missing and not much more has been learnt about his case.
However, the High Court on Wednesday found the government and police liable for breach of statutory duty and infringement of right to life under the Federal Constitution for failing to investigate the disappearance of an activist in 2016.
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Judge Datuk Su Tiang Joo awarded Norhayati RM2 million in general and aggravated damages for mental anguish and torment and exemplary damages of RM1 million.
Su also ordered the police to recommence investigation of the case and report to the Attorney-General’s Chambers its progress every two months.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
