Ahmad Zahid denies directing SB to abduct Pastor Koh, Amri Che Mat
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi denied that he and the ministry secretary general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim directed the Special Branch (SB) in Bukit Aman to kidnap Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh.
“I hope investigations will be carried out in a professional manner,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
“There is no such directive given by me or the ministry’s secretary-general (to kidnap Amri and Koh),” he said.
The National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) in its findings concluded that the SB was involved in the enforced disappearance of Amri and Koh
“The panel is of the view that the enforced disappearance was carried out by agents of the state, mainly Special Branch, Bukit Aman,” Suhakam Commissioner Datuk Mah Weng Kwai said earlier today.
“The evidence proves that he was abducted by state agents. There was no evidence he was detained by police, but he was taken away. The panel is of the view that Pastor Raymond Koh’s disappearance was not by voluntary disappearance.”
On that note, Ahmad Zahid also called upon the public to respect the findings of the commission.
“However, if it is found that a third party was involved (in the pair’s disappearance), then we must respect the report.
“But at the same time, we must also respect the police institution, and in this matter, any investigation that needs to be carried out must be done professionally.
“And because the matter happened so long ago, the case has to be handled meticulously,” he said.
Koh, founder of NGO Harapan Komuniti, was kidnapped by a group of men in Petaling Jaya on Feb 13, 2017, with CCTV footage showing at least 15 men and three black SUVs involved in the abduction.
Amri, the co-founder of welfare association Perlis Hope, meanwhile has been missing since Nov 24, 2016.
The others who are still missing include Christian priest Joshua Hilmy and his Indonesian wife Ruth Sitepu for the past three years.
