In a statement today, Suhakam said the inquiry will be held on Oct 19-20 and Oct 30, and also on Nov 2-3 and Nov 13-17.
The inquiry will consider, among others, whether the cases of Koh, Amri Che Mat, Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth, were cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances as defined under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Suhakam said the inquiry will be held in accordance with Section 12(1) of the Human Rights Commission Malaysia Act 1999 (Act 597).
In June, Suhakam called for individuals with relevant and important information to come forward to have their statements recorded.
“To date, Suhakam has recorded 35 statements from witnesses for all cases and the inquiry process is meant to answer questions, and to shine a light on the situation,” the commission said.
It also called for the authorities to “fully and expeditiously” investigate all cases where there was reasonable suspicion that an enforced disappearance may have occurred.
Meanwhile, the statement also named three members of the panel to oversee the public inquiry – commissioners Mah Weng Kwai (chairman), Dr Aishah Bidin and Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh.
According to the statement, the terms of reference for the inquiry are:
a) To determine whether these are cases of enforced disappearances as defined under the International Convention for Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances or are cases of involuntary disappearances in breach or breaches of the criminal and/or civil law and/or applicable human rights laws (hereinafter referred to as such alleged breach or breaches);
b) If (a) has been established at the inquiry:
i. How such alleged breach or breaches came about;
ii. To identify person(s) or agency(ies) responsible for such alleged breach or breaches;
iii. What administrative directives or procedures, or arrangements contributed to such alleged breach or breaches.
c) To consider whether the authorities, specifically the police, have taken adequate steps to investigate such alleged breach or breaches.
d) To recommend measures or guidelines to be taken to ensure that such alleged breach or breaches do not recur.
Koh, 62, was abducted from his car by a group of more than 10 men in a convoy of vehicles on Feb 13.
CCTV footage showed at least three black SUVs were involved in the abduction. Many speculated that his abduction might have been connected to his alleged attempt to spread Christianity, although his family has dismissed such claims.
Social activist Amri, 44, who co-founded charity organisation Perlis Hope, has been missing since Nov 24 last year.
His wife, Norhayati Ariffin, said witnesses saw five vehicles blocking the path of Amri’s car before he was taken away just 550 metres from their home in Bukit Chabang, Perlis.
Joshua and his wife Ruth, meanwhile, were last seen on Nov 30 last year.
The public inquiry will be held at the Suhakam office, 1001 Jalan Sultan Ismail, in Kuala Lumpur.