Council president Steven Thiru today urged the police to act more efficaciously in the matter, saying the lack of progress so far has “manifestly eroded” public confidence in the criminal justice system.
“Moreover, we also call on all federal and state government authorities and their agencies to cooperate fully with the police task force that is investigating this case,” he said in a statement.
He said it is in the public interest that the investigations be conducted thoroughly, transparently, impartially and with a sense of urgency to find Koh and bring his abductors and accomplices to justice.
“Although a month has passed since the abduction, the police appear to have made little headway in locating the missing pastor and/or apprehending his abductors.
“This is extremely disappointing as the vicious and outrageous act happened in broad daylight and was caught on video by several close-circuit television cameras.”
Steven noted that the video discloses a highly efficient professional operation that was executed in under a minute.
Koh, 62, was abducted while driving to see a friend in Kelana Jaya on Feb 13.
A video clip, said to be that of his kidnapping on Jalan SS4B/10, emerged on social media later.
It shows CCTV recordings of the victim’s car being hemmed in by jet-black sports utility vehicles before a group of men take him away in a professional and disciplined manner.
The SUVs were accompanied by at least one other car and a few motorcycles whose riders controlled traffic during the abduction.
“The abduction occurred on a public road in Petaling Jaya, and involved a group of men in a convoy of vehicles,” Steven said.
He added that the manner in which the abduction was carried out has fuelled uneasy speculation as to the identity of the abductors and the masterminds behind it, as well as their motives.
He noted that concerns have been raised about whether the act was due to Koh’s social work.
Koh’s NGO, Harapan Komuniti, had been accused of proselytising to Muslims by Islamic religious groups in 2011.
Expressing concern also for Koh’s well-being, Steven said no Malaysian should have to suffer the ordeal and torment that have befallen him and his family.
On March 9, police detained a 32-year-old man in Ampang, Selangor, in connection with the abduction.
The suspect had contacted Koh’s family the day before and asked for money to secure the pastor’s release, police said.
The World Council of Churches recently urged Malaysian authorities to intensify investigations. Its general secretary, Olav Fykse Tveit, wrote to Prime Minister Najib Razak saying he was “gravely concerned” over Koh’s safety.