The Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (CAGED) said the timing of the kidnapping charge against part-time Uber driver Lam Chang Nam just before an additional three police witnesses were to be called to the inquiry raised doubts about police intention.
CAGED asked why Lam was arrested and charged with the kidnapping of Koh after almost a year since he was first arrested for attempting to extort RM30,000 from Koh’s son, Jonathan.
The group said in November 2017, Fadzil Ahmat, the head of the task force set up to investigate Koh’s abduction, had stated under oath that Lam had nothing to do with Koh’s abduction.
CAGED questioned if Fadzil had been “careless or clueless” in his statement to Suhakam.
Suhakam had been holding a public inquiry into the disappearances of Koh, Amri Che Mat, Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth Sitepu, but yesterday, on the 12th day of the inquiry, Suhakam commissioner Mah Weng Kwai said the inquiry would cease until further notice.
The Suhakam decision followed a letter from Inspector-General of Police Mohd Fuzi Harun to the chairperson of Suhakam saying police had charged a man with the kidnapping of Koh and that under Section 12(3) of the Suhakam Act 1999, if any allegation being inquired into becomes the subject matter of any proceeding in any court, Suhakam would have to immediately cease the inquiry.
CAGED also asked why police had not issued a press statement on the suspect’s arrest and charging in court, in view of the high-profile nature of the case.
“The arrest and charge against Lam for kidnapping Koh is shocking, illogical and begs belief,” said the group.
It also accused the police of being “less than forthcoming” in assisting Suhakam to uncover the truth about Koh’s disappearance.
“Do they already know who abducted Pastor Raymond Koh?”
CAGED said if authorities believed they had sufficient evidence to convict Lam on the charge of kidnapping, they should expedite the hearing of the case against Lam.
“If they do not do so, we will be further convinced that the charge of kidnapping against Lam is a fabrication designed to derail Suhakam, a fabrication which will fail to meet the level of proof required to convict him in court.
“This would further reinforce the views of many that Pastor Raymond Koh and the others are victims of enforced disappearances, that is, the state is directly or indirectly involved in their disappearances.”