Cops believe Pastor Koh's disappearance linked to extremist activities

KUALA LUMPUR: Police believe that the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh was most likely linked to extremist activities, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's (Suhakam) inquiry heard today.
ASP Supari Mohammad, the investigation officer for the case, said police had drawn the conclusion based on investigations it had conducted since Koh was reported to be abducted.
Inquiry chairman Datuk Mah Weng Kwai had earlier mentioned to Supari that the police previously had looked at three theories behind the disappearance of Koh - personal issues, extremist links or kidnap-for-ransom.
"Based on your overall investigations of these three possibilities, which one do you think is the most likely?" Mah asked.
"It is more towards extremist activities," Supari said in reply to Mah's question at the inquiry held at Menara TH.
The three-panel inquiry is held on the disappearance of Koh, social activist Amri Che Mat and Pastor Joshua and his wife, Ruth Hilmi.
Former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar in March had stated that police were looking at the three possible theories in the investigation into Koh's abduction.
Supari was also unsure when asked by Mah whether the police knew if Koh was still in the country or not.
When asked whether the police knew if Koh was dead or alive, Supari replied: "no idea".
Mah then asked if a police statement provided by the then missing social activist Peter Chong had helped Supari in his investigations.
"It did not help me at all. There was no information provided that I could use to further my investigations," Supari replied.
Supari, who had testified in the inquiry for four days, was also asked a question by Koh's family lawyer Steven Thiru on whether Koh was currently being held by the police.
"You said that you were unaware of the role of other divisions in the police with regards to the investigations. My question is, do you know - as a matter of fact - whether Pastor Raymond Koh is under police custody now?" Thiru asked.
"I am not sure. As far as I know, no (not in police custody). I am not sure," Supari said in reply.