Are Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh still alive after their disappearances eight and nine years ago? That question weighs heavily on the families, who say they remain in limbo as the government stays silent.
Amri Che Mat’s wife, Norhayati Mohd Ariffin, 52, recalled that her husband was abducted on November 24, 2016, and she learned the next day that his car had been found but he was missing. Speaking at a forum titled “Justice for the Disappeared,” she told attendees she feels as if her family has only just woken up after nine years.
She pointed to the government’s acknowledgement of the disappearances yet criticized its lack of transparency on a set of urgent questions. She asked: Where is Amri? Who is responsible for his disappearance, and why have those individuals not yet faced justice? Are they still alive, and where are they?
Norhayati also questioned which police or government actors helped, enabled, or ignored the crime, and when those involved will be prosecuted. She emphasized that until the government provides clear, transparent answers, she and the families of Amri and Koh will keep seeking truth.
Pastor Raymond Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, 69, likewise described enduring trauma, noting ongoing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, including fear and anxiety attacks, eight years after Koh was abducted on February 13, 2017.
She explained that without clarity on Raymond’s fate, there is no path to closure. The absence of a body, a funeral, or a definitive goodbye leaves the family unable to grieve or move forward, making the situation unbearably difficult.
The session, part of the ongoing discussion about Justice for the Disappeared, highlighted the human rights impact of unresolved cases and the toll on families waiting for answers.
Would-be readers: What are your thoughts on state accountability in cases of enforced disappearances, and what steps should be taken to ensure transparent, timely justice for families affected?
