Panel visits site of Pastor Koh’s abduction

3rd Nov 2017

Also present at the site at about 4.30pm were observers, the police and Pastor Koh’s family.

Investigating officer ASP Supari Muhammad was on hand to brief the inquiry panel about Koh’s abduction.

Koh was abducted from his car by a group of men along Jalan SS4B/10 in Petaling Jaya on Feb 13 at about 11am while on his way to a friend’s house.

At the public inquiry earlier, the panel had made an ad-hoc decision to visit the site after police refused to hand in the investigating officer’s sketch plan of the location.

The police had told the inquiry that the panel needed to write in to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to surrender any documents related to the investigation.

This was the third time that the police during the inquiry had refused to hand in documents when requested by the panel.

Panel chairman Datuk Mah Weng Kwai reiterated that the inquiry was to find out about the disappearances and that it would be useful if all witnesses cooperated with them.

“This is a matter of national and public interest,” he said, adding that the police were given notice of the inquiry and should have obtained the advice of the AGC earlier.

Mah added that the police could not always give the excuse of “ongoing investigations” as it could put everything on hold.

“Because there are not enough developments … that’s why we are having this inquiry,” he said, adding that the police should bring along a representative of the AGC to the inquiry in the future.

The inquiry is being held under Section 12(1) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act in connection with the disappearance of Koh, social activist Amri Che Mat, Pastor Joshua Hilmi and his wife, Ruth Sitepu.

The panel of inquiry consist of Mah as chairman, Prof Datuk Dr Aishah Bidin and Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh.

Find the link to the article at: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/03/panel-visits-site-of-pastor-koh-abduction/#CbrhjBBlhTPXYyDe.99