Malaysian State, Police Liable For Pastor’s Abduction

In a landmark legal decision, Malaysia’s High Court has ruled that the Southeast Asian nation’s government and police force were responsible for the abduction and disappearance of Christian pastor Raymond Koh eight years ago.

The court found the government and police liable for negligence, misfeasance in public office, breach of statutory duty and infringement of fundamental liberties in relation to Pastor Koh’s disappearance.

Dramatic CCTV video of the incident showed masked men ambushing the pastor’s car and abducting him on a suburban road in the capital Kuala Lumpur in February 2017

He was never seen again.

COURT: “THIS WAS NOT RANDOM VIOLENCE”

After hearing a lawsuit brought by the pastor’s wife Susanna Liew in 2020, the court concluded that the coordination observed in the abduction, which took less than a minute; the precision of execution; and the involvement of trained personnel demonstrated pre-planning and prior training.

“This was not random violence,” said Judge Datuk Su Tiang Joo.

He ordered that the government and police pay Pastor Koh’s family A$3762 a day from the date he was abducted until his whereabouts are disclosed.

That figure amounted to more than A$11.5 million until November 6, 2025.

STATE ORDERED TO REOPEN INVESTIGATION INTO PASTOR’S FATE

The sum is to be deposited into a trust account until Pastor Koh is found, dead or alive.

The money will be deposited into a trust, to which Ms. Liew and the pastor’s three adult children will likely be named as beneficiaries.

Judge Su also awarded exemplary and aggravated damages of A$1.5 million.

He ordered the state to reopen the investigation into Pastor Koh’s disappearance and to ascertain his whereabouts.

GOVT REPORT: “ROGUE COPS BEHIND ABDUCTION”

His family has long asserted that he was abducted by police, which authorities repeatedly denied.

Investigations by Malaysia’s Human Rights Commission and the government concluded that he was likely abducted by the elite Special Branch of the police as he was perceived as a threat to mainstream Islam in Muslim-majority Malaysia.

The BBC reported that: “The government report – which was classified as secret until the family sued for access – said that “rogue cops” were responsible for the abductions, and that the official who led the operation had “extreme views” against Christians and Shia Muslims.”

“Pastor Koh had been targeted because he was suspected of proselytising to Muslims, which his family has denied.”

WIFE: “THIS IS SOMEWHAT OF A VINDICATION AND CLOSURE”

In response to the ruling, his wife Susanna Liew said: “We are overjoyed and thankful to God that we have a fair and honest judgement.”

“Though this will not bring Pastor Raymond back, it is somewhat a vindication and closure for the family,” she added.

“We dedicate this struggle and judgement to Pastor Raymond Koh, a man of compassion and courage, and to all victims of enforced disappearances.”

But the family’s legal ordeal appears from over.

Malaysia’s Attorney General has announced that the state will appeal the decision.

COURT FINDS SHIITE MUSLIM ACTIVIST WAS ALSO ABDUCTED BEFORE VANISHING

On the same day as the Koh verdict, the High Court delivered a very similar ruling, finding the government and the police liable for the suspected abduction of Shiite Muslim activist Amri Che Mat who vanished just three months before the pastor.

Investigations by the Human Rights Commission and the government came to the same conclusion as their Koh inquiries.

Mr. Amri’s wife Norhayati Mohd Ariffin who sued for lesser offences than Ms. Liew was awarded more than A$1 million.

“The feeling of sadness remains because questions about Amri’s whereabouts, whether he is alive, dead, or in good health, are all still unanswered,” she said.

“We sincerely hope that those responsible will be held accountable for what they have done.”