7-1-2025 (KUALA LUMPUR) In a startling revelation at the High Court, testimony has emerged suggesting that the 2017 disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh bore hallmarks of a professional police operation. The disclosure came during proceedings of a civil suit against the Malaysian government regarding the pastor’s unsolved abduction.
Former police investigator Ali Asrar Abu Bakar, who led the initial investigation into Koh’s disappearance, acknowledged under cross-examination that the abduction demonstrated professional execution reminiscent of law enforcement tactics. The admission came in response to questioning by Susanna Liew’s counsel, Steven Thiru.
Court proceedings revealed significant lapses in the initial police response. Abu Bakar conceded that he and eight other responding officers spent merely fifteen minutes at the crime scene before departing to Petaling Jaya police headquarters, citing instructions from his superior officer Supari to expedite recording a witness statement.
In a particularly concerning development, the court heard that investigators failed to gather CCTV evidence from neighbouring properties, despite having adequate personnel on scene. Abu Bakar, now serving as coordination inspector for Bukit Aman CID’s Anti-Trafficking unit, admitted to these investigative shortcomings.
The hearing also exposed questionable interrogation practices, with Abu Bakar confirming he had questioned Koh’s wife about potential criminal activities rather than focusing on locating the missing pastor.
The case stems from the 13 February 2017 incident when masked assailants abducted Koh on Jalan SS4B/10 in Petaling Jaya. A 2019 Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) inquiry concluded that state actors, specifically the police Special Branch, were responsible for Koh’s enforced disappearance.
Despite the government’s subsequent establishment of a special task force and production of a classified report, the family launched civil proceedings in 2021 against 13 defendants, including former police chiefs and government bodies. A significant development occurred in August 2024 when the High Court mandated government disclosure of the Suhakam report to Liew.
Proceedings are scheduled to resume on 14 January, with Abu Bakar expected to provide additional testimony.
