KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General has identified grounds to appeal High Court decisions in the Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh cases, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said in cases where the government is a named defendant, the Attorney General reviews the judgment.
He said the Attorney General concluded there are grounds to appeal, including matters related to financial commitments.
“However, this does not mean the government regards human life, rights and freedom lightly, or prioritises financial burden. This is based on upholding universal justice,” he added.
“So when the Attorney General determines there are grounds, that is what they proceed to do,” said Saifuddin.
He told Syed Ibrahim bin Syed Noh (PH–Ledang) this during the Minister's Question Time on Thursday (Nov 13).
On Wednesday (Nov 5), Justice Su Tiang Joo ruled the police and the government liable for the disappearances.
In separate judgments, the judge awarded RM3mil to Amri’s wife, Norhayati Mohd Ariffin, and RM31mil to Koh’s family.
He cited police involvement, wrongful classifications and failures to conduct effective investigations.
Both men went missing within months of each other.
Amri disappeared in Perlis in November 2016 and Koh in Petaling Jaya in February 2017.
The cases sparked nationwide concern over alleged enforced disappearances.
Norhayati filed a lawsuit to seek damages for her loss.
Amri was allegedly abducted in Perlis close to midnight on November 24, 2016.
His vehicle was found at an abandoned construction site at Bukit Chabang, Perlis, at about 12.30am the next day.
On February 11, 2020, Koh’s wife Susanna Liew filed a civil suit against 13 defendants including the government.
Koh, who founded Harapan Komuniti, was abducted by a group of armed men in Petaling Jaya.
The incident occurred along Jalan SS4B/10 while he was on his way to a friend’s house.
CCTV footage, believed to show the incident, depicted at least 15 men in tactical gear and three black SUVs.
It showed an abduction carried out in a “professional” style.
