Landmark Judgment: Pastor Raymond Koh’s Wife Wins Case Against the Malaysian Government
KUALA LUMPUR, 6 November 2025 — In a historic ruling that will be remembered as one of Malaysia’s most significant human-rights judgments, the Kuala Lumpur High Court has held the Royal Malaysia Police and the Federal Government liable for the 2017 abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh.
A Turning Point in Malaysian Legal History
Pastor Koh was abducted in broad daylight eight years ago in Petaling Jaya, a case that shocked Malaysians after CCTV footage showed a coordinated operation involving several vehicles and masked men. His whereabouts remain unknown.
On Wednesday, the court declared that Koh was the victim of enforced disappearance, making this Malaysia’s first judicial recognition of such a crime. Justice Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah ruled that the state bore direct responsibility, describing the abduction as “an unlawful and unconstitutional act committed by agents of the state.”
Record-Breaking Damages
The court ordered the government to pay general damages of RM 10,000 for each day of disappearance, starting from 13 February 2017 until the day Koh’s whereabouts are revealed. As of this ruling, the total amounts to approximately RM 31.8 million, potentially the largest damages award in Malaysian legal history.
Additional compensation was granted to Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, for emotional distress and violation of constitutional rights. The court further directed the authorities to reopen investigations and determine Koh’s fate.
Vindication and Closure
Speaking to reporters after the verdict, Liew said:
“We are overjoyed and thankful to God that we have a fair and honest judgment. Though this will not bring Pastor Raymond back, it is a vindication and some closure for the family.”
She dedicated the decision to her husband and to all victims of enforced disappearances in Malaysia, describing the ruling as a victory for truth and accountability.
Background: A Case That Shook the Nation
Pastor Koh’s disappearance in 2017, followed months later by the abduction of activist Amri Che Mat, sparked nationwide outrage. Separate inquiries by SUHAKAM (the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) and the government concluded that both men had likely been abducted by members of the police Special Branch, acting on extremist views against Christians and Shia Muslims.
Koh was accused—without proof—of attempting to convert Muslims, an allegation his family denies. Amri, meanwhile, was investigated for allegedly promoting Shia Islam. Both cases highlighted deep tensions between freedom of religion, state power, and the rule of law.
Legal and Constitutional Significance
Legal observers hail the decision as a milestone for constitutional accountability. It affirms that:
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The State can be held liable for enforced disappearances carried out by its agents.
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Fundamental liberties under Articles 5 and 8 of the Federal Constitution must be protected by effective remedies.
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The judgment strengthens Malaysia’s position on international human-rights obligations, especially under the UN Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Prominent human-rights lawyer Gurdial Singh Nijar, part of Liew’s legal team, called it “a defining moment in Malaysian jurisprudence—proof that the courts remain a check on executive power.”
Wider Implications
The ruling sets a precedent that may influence other ongoing and future cases involving state accountability, police conduct, and human-rights violations. It also signals judicial willingness to quantify human-rights breaches with substantial financial penalties, raising the standard for state responsibility in Malaysia.
Related Case: Amri Che Mat
On the same day, the court also found the government liable for Amri Che Mat’s disappearance, awarding his wife, Norhayati Mohd Ariffin, approximately RM 3 million in damages. Though a smaller award, it reinforces the principle that the state can no longer hide behind procedural denials when lives are taken or erased without explanation.
Conclusion
The Pastor Raymond Koh verdict stands as a watershed moment for Malaysian law—a triumph for perseverance, faith, and the pursuit of justice. It underscores that the rule of law remains alive in Malaysia’s courts, even against the most powerful institutions.