Cops at inquiry can’t agree if cases linked
17th Nov 2017
Selangor CID chief Senior Asst Comm Fadzil Ahmat said police suspected the same individual could be behind the disappearances of Koh, Perlis activist Amri Che Mat, as well as Pastor Joshua Hilmi and his wife Ruth Hilmi. But another police witness said otherwise.
“So far, there is no (common link),” investigating officer ASP Supari Muhammad told the inquiry by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.
“I am investigating Koh’s case which is classified as an abduction. The others have been classified as missing persons cases,” ASP Supari said yesterday.
But SAC Fadzil said the same method was used in the abduction of Koh and the others, which points to the fact that the same person could be behind the disappearances.
“We suspect that there’s a connection because of the modus operandi but there is no evidence (to prove it).
“It could be the same individual in all three cases,” he said, adding that it is a joint investigation into the disappearances.
It is nine months since Koh’s abduction and police are finding new leads from time to time, said SAC Fadzil.
“But it is confidential information and the authenticity needs to be vetted,” he said.
ASP Supari told the inquiry that Koh’s abduction is most likely linked to the work of extremists.
Koh, 63, was abducted from his car by a group of men along Jalan SS4B/10 in Petaling Jaya at about 11am on Feb 13 while on his way to a friend’s house.
Police have produced face sketches of the two men involved in the case.
“The sketches were done based on CCTV footage of the abduction and witness descriptions,” said SAC Fadzil.
These have been circulated to police contingents but so far, there have been no matches.
Asked if he has received any information on the case from the special branch, SAC Fadzil said he has no access to the unit.
“If they have information relevant to the case, they will pass it on,” he said.
Other police units will also pass on any relevant information, said SAC Fadzil, but so far he has not received anything.
The inquiry panel consists of commissioners Datuk Mah Weng Kwai (chairman), Prof Datuk Dr Aishah Bidin and Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh.
It resumes today at 2.45pm with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department’s Islamic affairs enforcement management officer Zaaba Zakaria taking the witness stand.
The article found at: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/17/cops-at-inquiry-cant-agree-if-cases-linked/#vyUYdqoZ8rARsQTB.99