SUHAKAM INQUIRY | A lawyer representing the family of missing pastor Raymond Koh (above) today told a Suhakam inquiry into his disappearance that they believed police had planted evidence which could link the case to an individual shot dead in Baling, Kedah in June.

The contention by lawyer Jerald Gomez was, however, denied by a senior police officer who was in charge of the police Special Task Force on Organised Crime (Staffoc) which carried out the June 17 operation.

During today's cross-examination of deputy CID director Huzir Mohamed, Gomez asked the police officer if he would agree that four pieces of evidence seized from the deceased suspect's house in Pengkalan Hulu, Perak were planted by the cops.

Police had earlier produced for the inquiry's panel their search list of the house on June 17. The list stated that police team which raided the house found among others, photographs of Koh and his vehicle and his house and (a photograph of) his vehicle's registration plate number.

In his testimony to answer Gomez' question, Huzir said police could not have planted the evidence as the wife of the deceased suspect was present during the search.

The officer said a copy of the search list had also been given to the wife.

"Besides, a police report that had been done could not be changed as the reports are computerised," said Huzir, who earlier also said that police reports are sequential and cannot be backdated.

Ex-IGP 'confused'

Huzir also testified that former inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar could have been confused when he spoke about another police team having gone to the same house.

He said this when answering questions from Gomez over inconsistencies between Khalid's statement and his regarding the date police found the photographs.

"I do not know (which team Khalid meant). Most likely what the IGP (Khalid) meant was the Selangor police team (investigating Koh's case), I assume.

"But the date of the two days later is incorrect. It (the surrender of evidence to the Koh case investigators) was done the same day (of the raid on June 17)," he said.

Gomez said it could not be the Selangor police team as previous testimonies by Selangor CID chief Fadzil Ahmat stated that they had never gone to the house in Pengkalan Hulu.

"I think Khalid was confused. I think the second team (Khalid meant) was the team that received the case items from the raiding team," said Huzir.

During the hearing, the inquiry panel also heard that police did not have any other suspect who could be linked to Koh's disappearance other than the deceased.

Huzir said investigators could only link the case to the deceased through documents they found in his house, and that police also believed from his background that he was capable of getting people to carry out the abduction of Koh.

The inquiry was adjourned to Oct 31 by panel chairperson Mah Weng Kwai (above, centre).

The inquiry is seeking to establish whether the disappearances of Koh and the three others are tantamount to enforced disappearances as defined under the International Convention for Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances (ICPPED).