Mior Faridalathrash Wahid, principal assistant director of prosecution and law (D5) at Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation division, said Saiful Bahari is an important witness in the case that is being investigated under Section 365 of the Penal Code for kidnapping.

He said any person with information about Saiful Bahari or knows him should contact Inspector Wan Ahmad Zakiman Wan Ismail from D5’s classified criminal investigation unit at 03-22666071 or 013-7117025.

Members of the public can also contact the nearest police station, he added in a statement today.

Earlier reports stated Saiful Bahari was a civilian who worked in the police force.

Amri, who co-founded an NGO called Perlis Hope, has been missing since Nov 24, 2016.

His wife said that five vehicles had blocked his car before he was whisked away, some 500m from their home in Bukit Chabang, Perlis.

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), in its inquiry into the disappearance of Amri and several others, heard that a car belonging to Saiful Bahari was seen near the place where Amri was believed to have been abducted.

Saiful Bahari failed to testify at the inquiry, prompting Suhakam to accuse the police of not cooperating. Police denied this.

Apart from Saiful Bahari, Restaurant Mak Lang owner Saiful Afdzan also failed to appear when called to testify in the public inquiry. The restaurant is just a stone’s throw from the scene of the abduction.

Saiful Afdzan claimed to have witnessed Amri’s abduction.

He was summoned to appear before the inquiry but had previously said he was unable to do so as he would have to close his restaurant in order to travel to Kuala Lumpur.

Suhakam concluded that the police’s Special Branch was involved in the disappearances of Amri and Pastor Raymond Koh.