Shamzaini Daud, an officer with the Perlis contingent, said he went to Norhayati Ariffin’s house on the night of May 12, 2018, because he wanted to discuss renting a shop unit belonging to her.
He added that they only spoke about the rental for around five minutes before Norhayati changed the topic to her husband’s disappearance.
“I told her I was not involved and that I do not pose a threat but she did not believe me.
“She insisted that the SB (Special Branch) was sent to investigate her, and she became emotional,” Shamzaini said.
He was testifying during the hearing of Norhayati’s lawsuit against the police and government over the conduct of its investigation into Amri’s disappearance.
She claimed the defendants had breached the law and their statutory duties, committed misfeasance in public office, and were negligent in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Norhayati previously testified that Shamzaini confessed to her that the Special Branch was behind Amri’s disappearance.
Today, her lawyer Surendra Ananth asked Shamzaini whether he felt awkward entering a Muslim woman’s house at night.
He said she invited him in even after he told her that they could talk outside the house.
Surendra: You claimed my client changed the topic (from the shoplot rental to Amri) and made various accusations against several police officers. Why didn’t you leave immediately?
Shamzaini: I wanted to but she started threatening me and said she would lodge a police report. I just wanted to calm her down.
The lawyer then pointed out that Shamzaini only lodged a police report on the meeting with Norhayati on May 18, 2018, three days after Norhayati’s report.
When asked how he found out about Norhayati’s report since he was not mentioned in it, Shamzaini said he found out after receiving a call from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) asking him to attend its inquiry into Amri’s disappearance.
He admitted that he, too, did not specify the alleged threats by Norhayati in his police report.
“At that time I was under stress because of many things, like (being summoned to testify at the) Suhakam (inquiry) and relocating my (car repair) workshop,” Shamzaini added.
No action from Bukit Aman, says witness
Shamzaini also told the court that he did not read Suhakam’s findings on the disappearance of Amri as well as Pastor Raymond Koh. He said he only knew the inquiry had concluded in 2019.
When asked whether he agreed with Suhakam’s finding that he was not a credible witness, he said he disagreed.
Surendra then asked the policeman about the task force set up by the government to probe Suhakam’s findings.
“The task force also concluded that your version of events cannot be trusted and that Norhayati is more credible.
“They also recommended that you be referred to the IGP (inspector-general of police) for further action because you disclosed unverified information. Did Bukit Aman take any action against you?”
Shamzaini replied that no action had been taken against him.
The hearing continues on Oct 7 before Justice Su Tiang Joo, where investigating officer Khor Yi Shuen will testify.
Amri left his home in Kangar at about 11.30pm on Nov 24, 2016. His car was found at a construction site at the Bukit Cabang Sports School early the next morning.
Suhakam held a public inquiry into Amri’s disappearance between 2017 and 2019, concluding that he was the victim of an enforced disappearance carried out by the state, specifically by the police’s Special Branch.