Yesterday, FMT reported that lawyers representing the family in their lawsuit against the government told the High Court the copy of the report handed over to them was unreadable as it was covered with watermark.
In a statement, the home ministry said the report submitted to Koh’s family and legal team was the “original unchanged report” which was printed on watermarked paper.
“The use of watermarked paper allows the government to identify the document’s owners in case the document is disseminated,” said the ministry, adding that the report belongs to the government and is subject to the Official Secrets Act 1972.
“The office of the chief government security officer (CGSO) has reviewed this matter to ensure the document’s security is maintained.
“However, the home ministry will provide a copy of the report without the watermark to Pastor Raymond Koh’s family and legal team based on the advice from the Attorney-General’s Chambers yesterday.”
Yesterday, the family’s lead counsel Jerald Gomez told the High Court they wanted the government to produce the “original report” which was not tampered with. He also said various photographs tendered as exhibits were distorted.
The ministry denied that they had been tampered with.
Last month, the court ordered the government to give Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, a copy of the task force report.
Liew filed a lawsuit in 2020 against the police, the inspector-general of police and several former high-ranking police officers over Koh’s disappearance.
She wants the authorities to be held liable for his unlawful abduction and for misfeasance in public office.
An earlier inquiry conducted by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) had concluded that Koh and activist Amri Che Mat were victims of enforced disappearances carried out by the state, specifically by the Special Branch.
Following that finding, a special task force was set up by the home ministry to investigate the commission’s findings.
Neither the home ministry nor the task force has made the report public despite repeated calls for them to do so by various parties, including Suhakam and several NGOs.