Pastor Koh’s kidnap done like police style, says witness
19th Oct 2017
KUALA LUMPUR: A witness in an inquiry into the purported kidnapping of Pastor Raymond Koh said he was told by a police officer that the incident was similar to a modus operandi by the police.
Taking the stand on the first day of the inquiry today by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), Roeshan Celestine Gomez, 25, said he was informed as such by the officer attached to the Kelana Jaya police station, identified as Inspector Ali Asra, when he lodged a police report after witnessing the incident on Feb 13.
Gomez said he and a friend were in a car heading to Kampung Tunku, Petaling Jaya, when they saw a silver-coloured Proton Waja surrounded by several black SUVs (sport utility vehicles).
“We were a bit worried, we asked the police whether this was a kidnapping … and he (Ali) said not to worry.
“He said it really looked like a police operation,” he told the three-panel inquiry, chaired by Suhakam commissioner Datuk Mah Weng Kwai.
Commissioners Prof Datuk Dr Aishah Bidin and Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Salleh also sat as the panellists at the inquiry held on the disappearance of Koh, social activist Amri Che Mat and Pastor Joshua and his wife, Ruth Hilmi.
Gomez said Ali had later provided him several reasons why he drew a parallel between the incident and those of a police operation.
“He gave a few reasons, such as it was (done in) broad daylight, it was very quick. But it was a casual conversation. He said someone was taking a video and (that) fits the police operation quite well,” he said.
Mah, however, informed those at the hearing that the information should be considered as hearsay until the truth could be ascertained.
The inquiry was also presented with unedited CCTV footage taken from two residential houses, where Gomez had identified a Myvi driven by him in those clips.
He noted that all of the men involved in the kidnapping were wearing uniformed black attire and had covered their faces with masks.
“My friend was about to take a video when a man approached us … He was agitated and pointing at my friend. I immediately reversed my car,” he said.
After doing a photofit of the man on Feb 16, Gomez said he was not contacted by the police until July 6, when he was told to attend the identification parade the next day.
Gomez, however, was unable to identify anyone, and the police said he was called for the parade as a police operation in Kedah had found Koh’s car registration plate in one of the suspects’ house.
Gomez added that his car was broken into a few days before the identification parade, where his laptop bag – along with several other documents inside – was stolen.
“I did not lodge any police report as I thought it was my mistake for leaving the bag behind,” he said.
The bag, however, was mysteriously returned in late July, without all his belongings inside except for an empty plastic file.
“It was placed in front of my gate. I checked with the guards and they registered no unidentified person,” he said.
Gomez admitted that he had concerns over the safety of him and his family after the incident occurred.
“I discussed with my parents on whether to appear here (inquiry). We agreed that this is the right decision,” he said.
Gomez was the only witness called in today.
Koh’s wife Susanna Liew is expected to testify tomorrow.
On the morning of Feb 13, the 62-year-old Koh was abducted by a group of masked men less than 100m from a police housing complex in SS4, Kelana Jaya.
Video footage from CCTVs in the area showed seven vehicles, including three black four-wheel drive vehicles, forcing his car to a stop in the middle of the road.
The drivers then used their vehicles to box in Koh’s car and prevent him from driving off.
Less than a minute later, Koh is apparently overpowered and his car bearing registration plate ST5515D is seen being driven away, with the other abductors following hurriedly.
Watch the abduction video below:
Source from The Sun Daily