Rogue cops may have abducted Amri, Koh: Classified report

Social activist Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh may have been abducted by rogue police officers, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard.

This was the finding of the Home Ministry’s Special Task Force (STF) classified report on the disappearance of both men between late 2016 and early 2017.

Excerpts of the report classified under the Official Secrets Act 1972 were read out during today’s hearing of a lawsuit by Koh’s family.

Suhakam in 2019 ruled that Amri and Koh - who disappeared on Nov 24, 2016, and Feb 13, 2017 - were victims of enforced disappearance perpetrated by members of the Special Branch from Bukit Aman.

After the Suhakam finding, Susanna Liew, 67, filed the civil suit against the police and government for disclosure of her 68-year-old husband Koh's whereabouts.

Abductors acted on own accord

During proceedings before civil court judge Su Tiang Joo today, Koh’s family counsel, Jerald Gomez, asked subpoena witness Zamri Yahya, who used to be an STF member, to read out the excerpts of the STF report.

“(The STF) Found that the incident behind Amri and Koh may have been caused by the actions directly or indirectly of irresponsible rogue police officers who acted on their own individually or in a group.

“They acted on their own accord, together with outside religious groups.

“However, this is only my view,” the former police Integrity and Standard Compliance Department director testified.

It should be noted that the STF finding did not mention if these rogue police officers are from the Special Branch or even from Bukit Aman.

“From my understanding, they (rogue police officers) acted on their own without orders or the capacity of their departments, on their own initiative, outside the control of their departments, without following the orders or discipline of their teams,” Zamri said.

He explained that, according to his understanding, both Amri and Koh were religious activists who were being monitored by the state religious departments of Perlis and Selangor, respectively.

He noted that a Toyota Vios was present in both scenes, where multiple four-wheeled drives surrounded the men before they were abducted.

Amri was last seen leaving his home in Kangar, Perlis, whereas CCTV footage showed Koh being abducted in broad daylight in Petaling Jaya, while he was on the way to a friend’s house.

Zamri also revealed that the STF report recommended, among other things, that Amri and Koh’s cases be further investigated with the assistance of independent bodies.

He noted the STF’s additional recommendation that a few police officers be referred to the inspector for further action.

These officers are Khor Yi Shuen, Azizie Abd Hamid, Shamzaini Daud and Hazril Kamis.

However, it is not clear in what capacity the named officers are alleged to be involved in the two abductions.

Report not binding

During today’s hearing, the police and government’s legal representative, senior federal counsel Nurul Farhana Khalid, stated that the defendants maintain the position that the STF report is not binding on the civil court.

The defendants’ representative from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) also contended that the report merely contained the STF’s views and recommendations on the issue.

Towards the end of today's proceedings, Gomez informed the civil court that the plaintiff would seek to subpoena several other witnesses, including the then STF chairperson, Rahim Uda.

The hearing before Su resumes on Oct 21. 

Norhayati Mohd Ariffin, Amri’s wife, has filed a separate lawsuit to compel the authorities to reveal the whereabouts of her missing husband.

She is also relying on the same STF report.

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