Susanna Liew, the wife of Malaysian pastor Raymond Koh who was abducted eight years ago, has secured a landmark legal victory against the state, with a high court ruling that the government and police are liable for his enforced disappearance. The court awarded substantial damages, including a daily compensation until his whereabouts are revealed, potentially totaling over 31 million ringgit, in a case that has drawn national attention.
Raymond Koh was forcibly taken from his car by masked men in a suburban area of Kuala Lumpur in February 2017, an incident captured on CCTV and witnessed by bystanders. His family has long maintained that he was abducted by state authorities, a claim consistently denied by the police until this ruling. The abduction occurred in broad daylight, adding to the public intrigue and highlighting concerns over state accountability.
On Wednesday, the high court judge declared that Koh had been subjected to an enforced disappearance, holding the Royal Malaysian Police and the government responsible. This judgement is unprecedented in Malaysia, setting a legal precedent for such cases and marking a significant moment for human rights in the country. The court emphasized the state’s failure to protect its citizens and uphold the rule of law.
The court ordered the state to pay 10,000 ringgit per day for each day of Koh’s disappearance since 2017, with the accumulated sum now exceeding 31 million ringgit. Additionally, Ms. Liew was awarded millions for emotional distress, and the total payout is expected to be the largest in Malaysian history, to be managed in a trust for her and her children. This financial compensation, while substantial, is seen as symbolic of the justice long sought by the family.
In a parallel case, the wife of activist Amri Che Mat, who was abducted months earlier in late 2016, also won her lawsuit, with the court finding the state liable and awarding about 3 million ringgit in damages. Both disappearances had sparked widespread speculation and investigations, with similarities in timing and alleged motives pointing to systematic issues within law enforcement. The rulings collectively underscore a pattern of enforced disappearances that have haunted Malaysian society.
Previous inquiries, including one by Malaysia’s human rights commission and a classified government report, concluded that rogue elements within the police’s Special Branch were likely responsible, targeting Koh for alleged proselytizing to Muslims and Amri for his Shia Muslim beliefs, which are viewed as deviations in Sunni-majority Malaysia. These reports, once secret, revealed that officials with extreme views orchestrated the abductions, fueling calls for transparency and reform.
Following the verdict, Susanna Liew expressed relief and dedication to her husband, stating that while it doesn’t bring him back, it provides vindication. Norhayati, Amri’s wife, emphasized the ongoing pain of not knowing his fate, hoping for accountability from those responsible. The Attorney General’s Chambers has announced plans to appeal both rulings, indicating potential legal battles ahead and raising questions about the state’s commitment to addressing these abuses.
This case highlights enduring issues of state accountability and human rights in Malaysia, potentially influencing future handling of similar disappearances and reinforcing the rule of law. It serves as a reminder of the long struggle for justice faced by victims’ families and could inspire broader societal demands for governmental transparency and protection of civil liberties.