Govt mulls over RCI for Suhakam’s enforced disappearance report
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is mulling over the possibility of setting up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) over the findings of Suhakam that concluded that the Special Branch was involved in the enforced disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh and activist Amri Che Mat.
The proposal to set up the RCI would be subject to the approval of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, said Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“We hope Suhakam will submit its final report formally to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Prime minister and Attorney General,” he told reporters at the parliament lobby.
“We will study the report and if the report requires for a fresh investigation, maybe we can reinvestigate the case,” he said.
The minister added that his ministry would facilitate the prosecution team in the event prosecution finds a proper ground to reopen investigations into the case.
Muhyiddin said his ministry has yet to receive the final report of Koh’s disappearance.
“I have only heard the statement from the Suhakam’s chairman so far,” he added.
Yesterday, Suhakam concluded that the police’s Special Branch to be behind the enforced disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh and Perlis Hope founder Amri Che Mat in 2017 and 2016 respectively, after a near two-year public inquiry into their abduction.
A panel of three commissioners heard the statements of 40 witnesses over a period of 45 days, reviewed 214 exhibits, and received oral and written submissions from the families and the police.
Following Suhakam’s release of its 196-page report on the abductions yesterday, Bagan Datuk MP and former Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi denied giving directives to the Special Branch to carry out the abductions.
Incumbent Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun deferred commenting on Suhakam’s conclusion saying he needs to read their report first while his predecessor Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar reportedly said he stands by his testimony to Suhakam during its inquiry, and that he has nothing further to say.
