This is the fifth Aidilfitri without her husband around and Norhayati Mohd Ariffin does lose hope sometimes over her husband’s mysterious disappearance, but she has to stay strong for her children.

Norhayati, a teacher, said Hari Raya celebrations are muted this year, particularly with the movement control order enforced nationwide. But even big celebrations cannot take away from her pining for Amri.

“I’m still hopeful that my husband and the father of my children would return, although the chances are slim. We’ve never stopped praying. No matter how, Amri will return and clear up the mystery of what actually happened.

“Our prayer is that those who were behind my husband’s disappearance would get what they’re due,” she told FMT.

Amri’s disappearance drew widespread speculation when it was first reported, and the family was thrown into the public eye, earning both scorn and sympathy, as well as encouragement.

“Not all sympathise, some view the incident the wrong way. But I keep my spirits high and turn a deaf ear. They don’t have the right to question because the one being questioned (Amri) can’t defend himself.

“There are still many around us, especially family and friends, who sympathise and continue to strengthen our spirits,” she said.

Amri was the founder of a charity called Perlis Hope. His wife claimed five vehicles had blocked her husband’s car before he was brought to a location near Bukit Chabang in Perlis.

There had been suggestions that Amri was targeted over his alleged leanings towards Shia Islam, the school of thought branded as “deviant” by Malaysian Islamic authorities.

A Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) public inquiry in 2019 had concluded that he and pastor Raymond Koh were victims of enforced disappearance carried out by the state, namely the Special Branch.

Disappointing follow-up investigations

Norhayati expressed her disappointment over the lack of updates from the probe into the Suhakam report by the home ministry’s special task force.

She said she had even personally contacted one of its members, before receiving a disappointing statement that “investigations are ongoing, we cannot share details because the information is classified”.

“I want Amri’s case to be probed and I ask the new inspector-general of police to take action. My lawyers have also made a demand to the government,” she said.