KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 — The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has welcomed the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision holding the government and police responsible for the enforced disappearances of Pastor Raymond Koh and social activist Amri Che Mat, calling it a watershed moment for justice and state accountability.
In a statement today, Suhakam said the rulings, delivered by High Court judge Datuk Su Tiang Joo, “mark a significant milestone in recognising state responsibility for such serious human rights violations, thereby affirming key principles of justice, accountability and the rule of law.”
The court found the state liable in both cases, ordering compensation for the victims’ families and directing that investigations be reopened.
In Pastor Koh’s case, the court ordered the government to pay RM10,000 per day from February 13, 2017 until he is found, in addition to general and aggravated damages.
The court awarded the wife of activist Amri Che Mat with RM3 million in damages over his disappearance.
“These decisions are consistent with Suhakam’s 2019 Public Inquiry findings, which concluded that both men were victims of enforced disappearances,” the commission said.
Suhakam described the court’s order to reassign implicated officers, reopen investigations, and provide regular updates to the Attorney General’s Chambers as “a positive and essential move”.
It stressed that “effective remedial action requires thorough, independent, transparent and timely investigations” that lead not only to accountability but also to prevention of future violations.
While acknowledging that no amount of financial compensation can make up for the suffering of the victims’ families, Suhakam said the rulings “provide important acknowledgment of the harm endured and send a strong signal that enforced disappearance will not go unchallenged.”
The commission also renewed calls for systemic change, urging the government to create a national preventive mechanism to address enforced disappearances — a recommendation it has made repeatedly in the past.
At the same time, Suhakam reminded authorities not to forget the still-unresolved disappearances of pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth Sitepu, who vanished in November 2016. Their case, the commission said, “stands as a painful reminder of the ongoing need for accountability and institutional reform.”
“Despite Suhakam’s recommendations urging the police to intensify their investigative efforts, the Commission has yet to be informed of any substantive progress,” it said, recalling its 2022 public inquiry that found the couple were abducted by persons unknown and that police failures amounted to “passive state acquiescence.”
Suhakam said it will continue monitoring the implementation of the High Court’s judgments and engage with the authorities to ensure the government “seizes this opportunity to reinforce Malaysia’s commitment to human rights.”
“We trust that the Government will seize this opportunity… ensuring full accountability, and strengthening safeguards against future abuses,” it said.
“We also call on all stakeholders to act swiftly and decisively in advancing truth, justice and institutional reform.”
Amri was abducted in Perlis around midnight on November 24, 2016, when his vehicle was surrounded by three cars and five men.
Koh was abducted on February 13, 2017, in Selangor after his car was surrounded by seven vehicles and about 15 masked individuals.
In April 2019, Suhakam concluded that both men were victims of enforced disappearance carried out by the police’s Special Branch.
