KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has allowed the government's application to stay the payment of RM31mil in damages awarded to the family of Pastor Raymond Koh (pic), who has been missing since 2017.
Justice Mahazan Mat Taib ruled on Monday (Jan 26) that the defendant had established special circumstances to justify staying the payment pending appeal.
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The judge noted that since Koh remains missing, he would be unable to receive the damages himself at this stage due to the express terms of the judgment.
"The monies would be immobilised in a trust account, pending the outcome of the appeal, or settlement of the first plaintiff's whereabouts. The plaintiffs, therefore, do not stand to enjoy useful benefit from the damages awarded," she said.
On Nov 5, 2025, the High Court ordered the government and the police to pay the sum after finding them liable for Koh’s abduction.
The award included general damages of RM10,000 per day from Feb 13, 2017, until his whereabouts are disclosed, alongside RM1mil in aggravated damages and RM1mil in exemplary damages.
More to come
