Responding to the withdrawal of the government’s appeal in the Pastor Raymond Koh case, Amnesty International Malaysia said: “We welcome the government’s decision to withdraw its appeal in the Pastor Raymond Koh case as a small but important step towards truth and accountability.
“However, it is still too early to determine whether this signals a broader shift in addressing enforced disappearances. What matters now is whether this is followed by concrete action to establish the truth and ensure those responsible are held to account.”
This development offers a renewed opportunity for the government to make a critical shift towards how cases of enforced disappearance are dealt with in Malaysia, said Amnesty.
“For families who have waited years for answers, accountability simply cannot be delayed any further. Enforced disappearance is a continuing violation that persists until the fate and whereabouts of victims are revealed.”
“If the government is truly committed to ensuring accountability and preventing future enforced disappearances, it must swiftly conduct independent, transparent and effective investigations followed by the prosecution of all those suspected of criminal responsibility,” the group added.
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“Malaysia should also take decisive steps to align with international standards, including by ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, criminalising enforced disappearance in domestic law and strengthening safeguards against abuse of power.”
Background
Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted in broad daylight in Petaling Jaya in February 2017, in an incident widely believed to be an enforced disappearance.
In 2019, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) concluded that his disappearance, along with that of activist Amri Che Mat (abducted in 2016), was carried out by the Special Branch of the police.
On 15 August 2024, the High Court ordered the government to declassify and provide the family with a special task force report related to Koh’s disappearance.
The government initially appealed this decision, but withdrew its appeal on 1 April 2026, meaning the report must now be released.
Separately, on 5 November 2025, the High Court found the government liable for Koh’s abduction and awarded RM37.4m in damages to his family.
The government filed an appeal against this ruling on 6 November, which remains ongoing.
On 26 January 2026, the High Court granted a stay of execution, pending the outcome of the appeal. – Amnesty Malaysia
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