Police to reopen probe into Koh's disappearance - Saifuddin

Police will comply with the court order over the enforced disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh by reopening the investigation and revealing his whereabouts, said Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Saifuddin said this action follows the court’s ruling, which held the government and the police responsible for Koh’s disappearance.

“From this point onwards, it falls within my responsibility to ensure the implementation of the court’s decision.

“Particularly as the court has directed the police to reopen or continue the investigation, and secondly, to produce Koh, to show proof of his existence and his whereabouts,” he said during a press conference after the 2025 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons celebration in Putrajaya today.

‘No excuse not to act’

Commenting further, Saifuddin said he inherited the legacy of the case, but refused to use that as an excuse not to act.

“The facts haven’t changed - this is a legacy I inherited. But that’s not an excuse. That’s why I need to get a closer picture of it,” he said.

On questions regarding any further action or appeal by the government, Saifuddin stressed that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

“I think logically, I can’t speak on behalf of the AGC. That’s their jurisdiction,” he said.

Saifuddin also touched on the chronology of earlier actions, where a Suhakam inquiry in 2019 had confirmed elements of forced disappearance in Pastor Koh’s abduction, followed by the formation of a special task force.

According to Saifuddin, the special task force’s report was subsequently handed to the wife of Amri Che Mat after the High Court ordered that the report be given to her for the purpose of legal action.

“The High Court decided that the report be handed to Amri’s wife, and although there was an appeal by the attorney-general at the time, the appeal was not pursued,” he explained.

Saifuddin said his focus now is to ensure that the court’s orders specifically involving the police are fully implemented.

“That’s what I’m working on with the inspector-general of police,” he added.

Court rulings

Last Wednesday, Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Su Tiang Joo ruled that the police and the government are responsible for the disappearances of Koh and Amri.

The court awarded Amri’s wife, Norhayati Ariffin, RM3 million in compensation - comprising RM2 million in general damages and RM1 million in exemplary damages.

In addition, the court also ordered payment of RM14,457.52 as special damages and RM250,000 in costs to the plaintiff.

Separately, Su also ordered the government to pay RM10,000 a day into a trust account for Koh until the pastor is found.

The payment is calculated from Feb 13, 2017, the date of Koh’s abduction - amounting to about RM31.9 million to date.

The court also awarded RM4 million in damages to Koh, together with RM1 million in aggravated damages due to the prolonged delay in efforts to locate him, as well as another RM1 million for unconstitutional actions by the defendants.

In both cases, the court ordered the police to reopen investigations and submit progress reports to the attorney-general every two months.

Indira’s case

On the M Indira Gandhi case, Saifuddin said he will seek a briefing from the police.

“I have not received and have not been given any briefing yet regarding the matter (allegation), so I will ask the police to provide me with that information so I can explain clearly to the media,” he said.

Earlier, it was alleged that Indira's ex-husband, Riduan Abdullah - previously known as K Pathmanathan - is still in Malaysia and receiving benefits from government aid schemes like Budi95 and the Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara).

The post on the X also cited a police statement in 2016 that released complete information, including Riduan's identity card number, to track his whereabouts. It also referred to a 2020 report stating that police investigations found Riduan was no longer in the country.

However, a check by Malaysiakini on the official Budi95 and Sara portals using the same identity card number found that the account had fully used the RM100 Sara cash aid and nearly 100 litres of the 300-litre Budi95 petrol subsidy quota.

Additionally, a check on the Immigration Department portal using the same identity card number shows Riduan's travel status as “no restrictions” for leaving the country.

COMMENT | State actors not afraid of what they did to Koh, Amri

COMMENT | Truth of Koh, Amri's disappearance finds its voice in court

Missing pastor's wife 'shocked' by AGC's decision to appeal

Harapan MPs warn appealing Koh, Amri cases risks public trust

After court verdict, Saifuddin to get AGC briefing on Amri, Koh cases tomorrow

'Betrayal of justice': Ex-Suaram director slams appeals in abduction cases

AG: High Court erred in rulings on Koh and Amri, appeals to be filed

Pastor Koh's wife hails court's vindication, urges govt to act

Nine years on, Amri's wife still seeks answers despite legal win