It has been just under a year since Pastor Raymond Koh was kidnapped in a highly skilled, slick operation by more than 10 men in a convoy of vehicles including black SUVs and motorbikes.
The men, who were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, stopped traffic and forced Koh into their vehicles in less than 30 seconds.
Compare Koh’s abduction with the other major event that took place that same day: the assassination of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Both were carried out in broad daylight, in a very daring manner, and CCTV footage of both events was obtained; in Koh’s case, from private residences in the area.
In the North Korean’s case, the recording showed the presence of other accomplices who then fled Malaysia. Within days, the two women who had approached Jong Nam and allegedly administered the poison were traced to their hotel rooms.
To date, however, there have been very few leads in Koh’s disappearance.
The independent inquiry by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) could have been highly embarrassing for some parties as it might have revealed many crucial questions and anomalies.
However, the inquiry was suspended following news that a suspect had been charged, as Suhakam is bound by Section 12 of the Human Rights Commission Act 1999 which states that it cannot investigate matters which are pending in court.
The suspect, Lam Chang Nam, reportedly tried to extort RM30,000 from Koh’s family to secure the pastor’s release. However, even the policeman leading the task force on Koh’s abduction did not believe that Lam was involved.
Thomas Fann, the spokesman for Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (CAGED), has questioned the timing of the charge which came just before an additional three police witnesses were to be called to assist the inquiry.
Meanwhile, members of CAGED who held candlelight vigils were harassed and hauled up for questioning by the police.
Some wonder if the Suhakam inquiry was getting too close for comfort. Others ask if this is another time-wasting tactic to distract us from other issues which are also tarnishing Malaysia’s international reputation.
Koh is not the only one who has gone missing. In the months before his abduction, three other people also disappeared: Pastor Joshua Hilmy, his wife Ruth, and activist Amri Che Mat who is the founder of charity organisation Perlis Hope.
All four disappeared under suspicious circumstances within four months, between November and February. Three men and one woman.
No ransom notes have been sent to their families. No phone calls or demands have been made. None of the vehicles used in Koh’s abduction have been found, despite Malaysia being a highly regulated nation with CCTVs protruding from every road junction and the corner of every building.
What happened to the investigation in which police found Koh’s vehicle licence plate during a raid in Kampung Weng Dalam, Kedah? Was there any link between Koh’s abduction and groups based in southern Thailand, as inferred by police at the time?
Former inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar told the rakyat to “shut up” and not ask any questions because these would harm the investigation. On his retirement, he told us that he had “no unfinished business”. We hope the new IGP, Fuzi Harun, will fare better than Khalid, but Lam’s arrest is deeply troubling.
If the authorities want the rakyat to regain their trust in the police force, more needs to be done. They should not blame Koh’s abduction on an opportunistic exhibitionist.
Mariam Mokhtar is an FMT columnist.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.