The Malaysian High Court has ordered the government and national police to pay 37 million Malaysian Ringgits (around $8.9m) for their role in the 2017 abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh.
In his November 5 ruling, Justice Su Tiang Joo ordered the government to compensate Susanna Liew for the “wrongful acts” against her husband, along with general, aggravated, and legal costs.
However, the court also ruled that all funds must be placed in a trust and cannot be released to Liew or her three children unless Pastor Koh’s whereabouts are confirmed.
Pastor Koh was abducted in broad daylight on February 13, 2017, by a group of 15 men using three black SUVs and four additional vehicles in Petaling Jaya. CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts strongly suggest that the abductors were highly trained, carrying out the operation in just 40 seconds. No trace of the pastor has been found since.
Responding to the ruling, Liew said she feels a level of justice has been served.
She said: “After nearly nine years of the loss of a husband and father, anguish and uncertainty, the judgment brings a long-awaited decision… Though this will not bring Koh back, it is somewhat a vindication and closure for our family. We dedicate this struggle and judgment to Koh, a man of faith, compassion, and courage, and to all victims of enforced disappearances.”
Liew also criticized the government for failing to act on recommendations from earlier investigations into her husband’s disappearance and for not pursuing disciplinary measures against police officers found to have been involved.
Mervyn Thomas, founder of the religious freedom charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide, welcomed the court’s decision, saying it at least recognizes the injustice against Pastor Koh.
He added: “As Susanna says, this will not bring him back, and we therefore continue to call on the Malaysian authorities to establish a royal commission of inquiry to determine exactly what happened to him and his whereabouts today. This is a landmark decision that demonstrates the judiciary’s independence by holding state actors accountable and setting a legal precedent for cases involving enforced disappearance.”
