SB’s role in Pastor Koh’s disappearance merely hearsay: Mahathir
“I think they must produce some evidence. This is merely hearsay, I don’t know whether they have evidence to prove that this was what happened“
(Bernama) – The Malaysian Human Rights Commission’s (Suhakam) statement on the alleged involvement of the Special Branch from Bukit Aman in the disappearance of pastor Raymond Koh is merely hearsay, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said Suhakam must produce some evidence to prove its claim.
“I think they must produce some evidence. This is merely hearsay, I don’t know whether they have evidence to prove that this was what happened,“ he said.
Mahathir told reporters this after chairing the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Supreme Leadership Council meeting here today. He is Bersatu chairman.
Suhakam was reported to have concluded that the cases involving Koh and activist Amri Che Mat were ones of enforced disappearances with the likely involvement of state agents such as the police’s Special Branch.
Suhakam Commissioner Datuk Mah Weng Kwai said its findings were based on the commission’s inquiry into the disappearances.
Mahathir also pointed out that the matter happened when the previous government was at the helm.
Koh was abducted in 2017 while Amri was taken in 2016.
“This happened during the previous goverment and a lot of things done under the previous goverment are hidden from us, hidden from the public,“ he said.
Asked on Suhakam’s recommendation for the formation of a special task force to re-investigate the issue, the prime minister underscored that Suhakam needed to show clear evidence.
“If they have clear evidence (then) we will have special task force to investigate,“ he said.
Queried on Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, who was the Special Branch chief in 2017, Dr Mahathir said: “He (Mohamad Fuzi) was then the Special Branch officer (head) but he is going to retire soon. We will let him retire first and then we will have another IGP who will conduct an investigation.”