PETALING JAYA: The Suhakam inquiry into the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh (pic) is scheduled to resume on Monday (Aug 27) afternoon, after an almost eight-month hiatus.
In January, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) had ceased the inquiry as a suspect had been charged in court in relation to the case.
Suhakam commissioner Datuk Mah Weng Kwai, who is leading the inquiry, had cited Section 12(3) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act, which states that it should "immediately cease" an inquiry if the allegation becomes the subject matter of any court proceeding.
The public Suhakam inquiry into Koh’s case was put on hold as a 31-year-old part-time driver Lam Chang Nam claimed trial to extorting Koh’s son, Jonathan Koh Szu Hao.
Lam was charged under Section 385 of the Penal Code with extorting RM30,000 from Jonathan for the release of his father.
However in May after the general elections, Suhakam said that the inquiry into Koh's disappearance would continue after concluding that the subject matter of Lam's case and the public inquiry was “not the same”.
The inquiry is being held under Section 12(1) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act in connection with the disappearances of Koh, social activist Amri Che Mat, Pastor Joshua Hilmi and his wife, Ruth Sitepu.
The inquiry into the other disappearances will go on as scheduled.
Koh, 62, was abducted by a group of men along Jalan SS4B/10 in Petaling Jaya on Feb 13, 2017 while on his way to a friend's house.
CCTV footage, believed to be of the incident, showed at least 15 men and three black SUVs involved in the abduction, which was done in "professional" style.
Koh's silver-coloured car bearing the number plate ST5515D has still not been found.
