KUALA LUMPUR, El Sky News – The Kuala Lumpur High Court has ordered the Malaysian government to pay more than RM37 million in compensation to the family of missing Christian pastor Raymond Koh, ruling that police officers were directly involved in his abduction in 2017.
The historic judgment, delivered by Justice Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid, found that Koh’s disappearance was an act of enforced abduction carried out by members of the Special Branch of Bukit Aman, making the government legally responsible.
“The actions taken were a clear violation of human rights and cannot be condoned under Malaysian law,” said the judge in his written decision.
The compensation includes general damages, exemplary damages, and legal costs, marking one of the largest awards ever made in a case involving human rights violations by state authorities.
Background
Pastor Raymond Koh, a well-known Christian activist, was abducted on February 13, 2017, in Petaling Jaya while driving to a charity event. CCTV footage lasting about 40 seconds showed masked men stopping his car and forcing him into another vehicle in a highly coordinated operation.
He has not been seen since.
In 2019, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) concluded that both Koh and social activist Amri Che Mat were victims of “enforced disappearances” conducted by state security agencies.
Family and Public Reactions
Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, expressed relief and gratitude after the court’s verdict, describing it as “a victory for truth and justice.”
“We have waited more than seven years for this moment. Although my husband has yet to be found, this decision shows that justice can prevail,” she told reporters outside the courthouse.
Human rights organizations, both local and international, have welcomed the ruling as a milestone for transparency and accountability in Malaysia’s security institutions.
Government Response
A spokesperson from the Attorney General’s Chambers said the government will review the judgment before deciding whether to file an appeal.
Legal observers say the verdict could become a landmark reference for future human rights cases in Malaysia and may open the door for similar legal actions against state agencies accused of abuse of power.
In Summary:
The High Court’s ruling not only delivers long-awaited justice for Pastor Raymond Koh’s family but also reinforces the principle that no government institution is above the law when it comes to protecting human rights.
