THE Kuala Lumpur High Court today found the government and police liable for negligence, misfeasance of public office, breach of statutory duty and infringement of fundamental liberties in the case of the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh.
Judge Datuk Su Tiang Joo ordered both the government and police to pay Koh's family RM10,000 a day from the date he was abducted until his whereabouts are disclosed.
The figure amounts to more than RM31 million for 3,187 days, till today.
The judge ruled that one or more police personnel ― former and currently employed ― were involved in the abduction and had acted “oppressively and arbitrarily”, misusing their public power to abduct Koh eight years ago.
Delivering his verdict today, he said he did not “pluck the figure out of thin air” and tied the figure to a Court of Appeal decision on a false imprisonment case.
He further awarded RM4 million in damages and RM250,000 in costs.
The sum is to be deposited into a trust account until he is found, dead or alive.
He also ordered the police to reopen their investigation into the case and report their progress to the attorney-general every two months.
On Feb 11, 2020, Koh's wife Susanna Liew filed the civil suit against 13 defendants including the government over his disappearance.
Koh, who founded the NGO Harapan Komuniti, was abducted by a group of armed men along Jalan SS4B/10 in Petaling Jaya on Feb 13, 2017, while on his way to a friend's house.
CCTV footage, believed to be of the incident, showed at least 15 men in tactical gear and three black SUVs involved in the abduction, which was done in a "professional" style.
Meanwhile, Koh's wife, Susanna Liew said the ruling brought long-awaited closure and vindication for the family after nearly nine years of anguish and uncertainty over her husband’s disappearance.
“We cannot overemphasise our thankfulness and gratefulness to our God for what He has done today,” said Liew.
She also commended sergeant Shamzaini Daud of the Special Branch, whom she said had the courage to reveal the truth about the abduction.
Liew also urged the government to act on the High Court’s latest verdict, and on previous Suhakam and special task force findings. – November 5, 2025
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