A Battle for Justice: The Disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh

The story of Pastor Raymond Koh, who was abducted in Kuala Lumpur nearly nine years ago, has captivated Malaysia and raised critical questions about enforced disappearances in the country. Recently, his wife, Susanna Liew, celebrated a milestone victory in her relentless pursuit for justice, marking a significant chapter in a battle filled with heartbreak and determination.

The Emotional Legal Victory

Last month, Susanna Liew stood before cameras in the Kuala Lumpur High Court, marking what she described as a “historic and emotional milestone.” With a quivering voice, she expressed a belief that her husband, Pastor Raymond Koh, was a victim of severe injustice.

This landmark ruling marked a stunning win after years of controversy surrounding Koh’s abduction by masked men in broad daylight, an event that shocked the nation. The High Court determined that Malaysia’s elite Special Branch police unit was responsible for his disappearance, holding both the police and government accountable for the first enforced disappearance case to receive judicial attention in the country.

A Persistent Search for Truth

For years, Liew has fought tirelessly to uncover the fate of her husband, transforming from an ordinary pastor’s wife into a fierce advocate for justice. Recent investigations revealed that the police labeled Koh a threat due to his Christian faith in a predominantly Islamic country. Despite the challenges, Liew vowed to keep her husband’s plight in the public eye.

Shortly after her court victory, Liew recounted her motivation to seek justice: “A voice inside me said… ‘So they took him in secret – I will let the whole world know.'”

The Dramatic Abduction

On February 13, 2017, as the 63-year-old Koh was leaving home to meet friends, a convoy of SUVs surrounded his car. Masked individuals abruptly shattered a window, forcibly removing him from the vehicle in a meticulously planned operation. Eyewitness accounts suggested that onlookers had assumed they were witnessing a film shoot due to the audacity of the crime.

In the aftermath, Koh’s family went door-to-door seeking clues about his disappearance and found vital CCTV footage that captured the entire incident. They soon realized it wasn’t an ordinary kidnapping—there were no ransom notes, just a chilling execution of a carefully orchestrated plan.

Years of Heartache and Struggle

The impact of Koh’s abduction weighed heavily on his family, with Liew forced to sell jewelry and rely on donations to support her youngest daughter’s education. Despite expecting assistance from law enforcement, she found herself subjected to harsh questioning about her husband’s religious activities instead.

In years filled with confusion and pain, Liew expressed her feelings of betrayal by the police, stating, “The police were not forthcoming with their investigation… they produced red herrings.” Their theories were perceived as attempts to obscure the truth.

A Shocking Revelation

A breakthrough came in May 2018 when a police sergeant approached another family affected by a similar case, revealing that the Special Branch had kidnapped both Koh and Amri Che Mat, an activist abducted months earlier. The sergeant’s testimony triggered an independent investigation, which corroborated his claims.

Subsequent rights commission investigations identified the Special Branch as accountable for the abductions, concluding they targeted Koh and Che Mat over concerns about their religious beliefs.

The Ongoing Battle for Justice

In 2020, Liew filed a civil lawsuit against multiple police officials and the government, demanding accountability for her husband’s enforced disappearance. Following her recent court victory, she received a ruling recognizing the responsibility of state officials, resulting in a landmark compensation judgment for her emotional distress.

As discussions about the appeal by the government unfold, Liew expressed her fatigue with the process, stating, “If we know that he’s dead… we can move on. But right now, we are in limbo.” The family’s ongoing grief remains palpable, compounded by the uncertainty surrounding Koh’s fate.

Finding Healing

Despite the turmoil, Liew is finding strength through her personal journey. Inspired by counselors who aided her through dark times, she is training to become a counselor herself. Sharing her story has proven therapeutic as she continues her advocacy against enforced disappearances and fights for accountability.

Through her harrowing journey, she has publicly reconciled her feelings, stating she has forgiven the men she believes abducted her husband. However, her pursuit of justice remains unwavering. “What we really want is for the truth… and for us to have good closure,” she asserted, emphasizing the profound need to know her husband’s whereabouts.