Sri Ram pointed out that Koh
- whom he befriended in 1977 - headed Harapan Komuniti prior to his
disappearance on Feb 13, 2017. The NGO is involved in social and charity
work amongst marginalised and underprivileged communities.
The
witness recalled that around 10pm on Aug 3, 2011, about 16 to 20 Jais
and police officers marched into the Thanksgiving and fundraising
dinner, took videos and photographs, and jotted down the particulars of
around 20 Malay guests that were present.
“It was blown out of proportion. Because of the publicity, people
assumed a lot of things, and from August until October 2011, Raymond
Koh, his family, Harapan Komuniti, and DUMC church leaders were targeted
by rightwing Islamist and radical groups, politicians, and bloggers,
with calls for action against them in the name of Islam,” Sri Ram
claimed.
The witness’ testimony is to back a lawsuit by Koh’s wife Susanna Liew, who is seeking for the police to reveal the missing man’s whereabouts. Sri Ram used to testify in the Suhakam inquiry, which on April 3, 2019, concluded that Koh’s abduction was an enforced disappearance that involved the Special Branch from the police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur. The 63-year-old witness contended that following the Jais visit to the church, Harapan Komuniti continued to receive threats.
Sri
Ram said this led to the then minister in the prime minister’s
department (Islamic Affairs) Jamil Khir Baharom revealing that Malaysian
Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was investigating the NGO for
alleged proselytising of Muslims. He claimed that following the
Selangor Sultan’s decree on Oct 22, 2011, that nobody was to be
prosecuted in relation to the Aug 3 incident, a rally called ‘Himpun’
took place and was touted as an “anti-apostasy” demonstration.
The
witness said that the last time he saw Koh was on Jan 8, 2017, at Plaza
Jelutong, Shah Alam, and that he found out about Koh’s disappearance
via a message sent within a pastor fellowship WhatsApp group around 8pm
on the same day of the incident.
Sri Ram said that on the night of
Feb 14 2017, he went to the Kelana Jaya police station to assist the
investigation into Koh’s disappearance. The witness said he found
it strange that investigating officer Supari Mohammad’s questions “went
around in circles”, giving him the impression that the police officer
seemed to be trying to obtain evidence against Koh rather than probing
the abduction.
Sri Ram told the civil court that he believed Koh
was actually abducted by the police. He claimed that the pastor showed
him websites that outwardly threatened Koh and his family following the
DUMC incident. According to Sri Ram, the threats continued even
after the Selangor Sultan decreed no further action in the investigation
against Harapan Komuniti.
Meanwhile, during open-court
proceedings before judge Su Tiang Joo, senior federal counsel Nurul
Farhana Khalid questioned the validity of Sri Ram's entire testimony,
labelling them as "assumptions". However, despite the grilling by the legal representative for the
police and the government, the witness reiterated his belief that it was
the police who abducted Koh.
“I
put it to you that the abduction was not by the police, but it was by
(members of the public) who were dissatisfied with Koh due to the
Christianisation (of Muslims) issue,” Nurul Farhana said.
To that, Sri Ram simply responded with, “I disagree”.
The trial before Su resumes tomorrow.
Counsel Jerald Gomez acted for Liew.
Over a week after the DUMC incident in August 2011, a brief video recording of the Jais visit made its way online. Jais
has denied that the unannounced visit was a raid, saying it was merely
an "inspection" visit after it received a tip-off that Muslims were
present at DUMC's ‘buka puasa' and thanksgiving ceremony.
Krabian : Pastor Koh was a victim of those fools who divide themselves by race, colour and religion.
Bornean : and Madani continue to ignore..
Jurgen : An imposing religion which manipulates others is a religion without God, but a man made effort to control people.
Gen12v3 : Even if Pastor Koh was martyed 12 years ago, the God Almighty who is just and righteous will hold them accountable. Rest assure one day they have to stand in front of the Righteous Judge to give an account of their deeds. PTL, Ps Koh soul and spirit is in paradise now, free from sickness, tears, moaning and death.
Proof of pudding always in the eating : This is what is happening here while we thump our chests and scream and shout about Palestine. For PMX missing Malaysians remain missing even after 11 months of appointment.
Only truth : All these nonsense is happening in this country yet we act like protectors of human life and shout and condemn what happens in other countries
All these Islamic organisations should be shut down and only the Sultans should be responsible and take care of Islamic affairs
Only the Sultans are held in high esteem and only they are respected and fair