Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
—
The wives of a missing Malaysian Christian pastor and Islamic activist who were abducted several years ago in a case that attracted international attention have won a landmark lawsuit after a court ruled that the government and police were responsible for the men’s enforced disappearance.
The high court on Wednesday found the state was involved in the disappearances of both men and ordered police to reopen the investigation into the case. The ruling was the first judicial finding in a case of enforced disappearances by Malaysian authorities, who deny involvement.
The Attorney General’s Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday that it will appeal the court’s rulings in both cases.
On February 13, 2017, a group of masked men captured Pastor Raymond Koh in broad daylight in the central state of Selangor in a swift military-style operation, which was caught on surveillance video. His whereabouts remain unknown. Ko’s family said he had received death threats before his disappearance and was being investigated on suspicion of converting to Islam.
Months earlier, Islamic activist Amri Che Mat disappeared under similar circumstances after leaving his home in November 2016. Amri was under surveillance by religious authorities for allegedly spreading Shiite teachings, which is prohibited in Malaysia, which recognizes only Sunni Muslims.
In addition to Koh, Muslim-turned-Christian preacher Joshua Hilmi and his wife Ruth Hilmi mysteriously disappeared six days after Amri in 2016. The disappearances at the time raised concerns about religious vigilantism in the Muslim-majority country.
The court on Wednesday awarded damages of more than 30 million ringgit ($7.2 million) to Mr Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, and more than 3 million ringgit ($717,000) to Mr Amri’s wife, Nurhayati Mohamad Ariffin.
Mr Liu, who has long campaigned for justice and accountability in the case, called the verdict a “historic and emotional milestone” for the family. She said the verdict confirms what they have long believed: that police are accountable.
Despite Malaysia’s Human Rights Commission and the government’s task force having previously discovered that a special branch of the police was behind the disappearances, Liew said the government had not taken any action.
“This doesn’t bring Ko back, but it does mean some kind of vindication and closure for our family,” she said.
Separately, Noorhayati said he hoped those responsible for Amri’s disappearance would be brought to justice.
“I am still frustrated because I still have no answer as to whether Amri Che Mat is alive or dead,” she said.
UK-based human rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide welcomed the court’s ruling and called on the government to reveal the truth about Ms Koh’s fate and whereabouts.
“This is a landmark decision that demonstrates the independence of the judiciary by holding state actors accountable and setting a legal precedent for cases involving enforced disappearances,” it said in a statement.
