Families of missing Malaysian pastor and activist win landmark lawsuit against government

KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia AP The wives of a missing Malaysian Christian pastor and a Muslim activist both abducted years ago in cases that drew international concern won a landmark lawsuit after a court ruled the regime and police were responsible for the men s enforced disappearances The High Court on Wednesday unveiled state involvement in the disappearances of both men and ordered police to reopen investigations into the cases The decision marked the first judicial recognition in the affair of enforced disappearance by Malaysian executives who have denied involvement The Attorney-General s Chambers disclosed Thursday it would appeal the court s ruling in both cases Pastor Raymond Koh was seized by a group of masked men in a swift military-style operation in broad daylight on Feb in central Selangor state in an development that was captured on CCTV His whereabouts remain unknown His family declared Koh had received death threats and was under inquiry for allegedly proselytizing to Muslims before he vanished Months earlier Muslim activist Amri Che Mat disappeared under similar circumstances after leaving home in November Amri had been under watch by religious agents for allegedly spreading Shiite teachings a practice that is banned in Malaysia which recognizes only the Sunni branch of Islam In addition to Koh Muslims-turned-Christian preachers Joshua Hilmi and his wife Ruth Hilmi disappeared mysteriously six days after Amri in The disappearances raised fears of religious vigilantism at the time in the predominantly Muslim nation The court on Wednesday awarded more than million ringgit million in damages to Koh s wife Susanna Liew and million ringgit to Amri s wife Noorhayati Mohamad Ariffin Liew who has long campaigned for justice and accountability in the affair called the ruling a historic and emotional milestone for the family She noted the ruling affirmed what they had long maintained that police were responsible Despite earlier findings by Malaysia s human rights commission and a special regime taskforce that a police special branch was behind the disappearances Liew stated the cabinet had taken no action Though this will not bring Koh back it is somewhat a vindication and closure for our family she noted Noorhayati separately stated she hopes those responsible for Amri s disappearance will be brought to justice There is still frustration because we still don t have answers whether Amri Che Mat is alive or dead she announced U K -based rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide hailed the court s ruling and urged the establishment to uncover the truth about Koh s fate and his whereabouts 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 it explained in a message Source