Malaysia

Final settlements on Pastor Koh, Amri Che Mat subject to appellate court decision - minister

Saifuddin says that any apology, compensation or final settlement involving the disappearance cases of Pastor Raymond Koh and activist Amri Che Mat will depend on the outcome of ongoing appeals with hearings scheduled for November 30

Updated 1 month ago · Published on 03 Jul 2026 6:02PM

Final settlements on Pastor Koh, Amri Che Mat subject to appellate court decision - minister
The High Court had ordered the government to pay RM37 million in compensation to Koh and his wife and RM3.3 million in compensation to Amri’s family - July 3, 2026

THE government has stressed that any further action, including settlement offers, formal apologies or compensation payments in the cases involving Pastor Raymond Koh and activist Amri Che Mat, will be determined entirely by the Court of Appeal.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the matter is currently under appeal, and the government will abide by the court’s eventual decision.

He was responding in a written parliamentary reply to Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng regarding government positions on compensation, apologies and related legal resolutions involving the cases of Teoh Beng Hock, Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat.

Saifuddin said the High Court had on November 5, 2025 ordered the government to pay RM37 million in compensation to Koh and his wife, Susanna Liew, calculated at RM10,000 per day from the date of his disappearance on February 13, 2017, along with damages and legal costs.

However, he noted that on January 26 this year, the High Court allowed the government’s application to stay the payment pending appeal proceedings at the Court of Appeal, with hearings set for November 30.

For the case of Amri Che Mat, Saifuddin said the High Court had also on November 5, 2025 ordered the government to pay RM3.3 million in compensation, plus costs and interest, to his wife, Norhayati Mohd Ariffin.

He said a stay of payment was granted on March 11 while the appeal process is ongoing, with the same hearing date of November 30 set at the Court of Appeal.

Saifuddin also referred to the case of the late Teoh Beng Hock, noting that the government had previously paid RM600,000 in compensation to the family, along with RM60,000 in legal costs, as part of a full and final settlement reached in May 2015.

He added that former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had issued a public apology to the family on July 16, 2025, expressing sympathy and acknowledging their suffering.

Saifuddin said the ministry remains committed to upholding the rule of law, transparency and respect for judicial processes, while ensuring that enforcement agencies continue to operate with integrity under existing legal provisions. - July 3, 2026

Spotlight

Malaysia

Private university CFO charged over alleged RM6.56m CBT

World

Unleashed 60kg dog in Hong Kong mauls poodle, bichon frise to death (video)

Malaysia

Three family members killed after Immigration truck runs red light

Malaysia

Woman, believed to be foreigner, allegedly causes disturbance at KLIA (video)

Opinion

Has DAP chosen the path to a slow death?

Malaysia

Three years of bullying at school puts 15-year-old at risk of hearing loss

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Police officer's wife cries, pleads for leniency after misusing disabled child's account

Malaysia

Organised cybergroups likely behind rise in racial hate on social media

You may be interested

Malaysia

BN remains committed with unity government till end of term

Malaysia

S'pore driver involved in altercation with Malaysian policeman near Woodlands Checkpoint

Malaysia

I am touched by M. Kavita’s dedication – PM Anwar

Malaysia

Student involved in bullying case remanded, released on bail

Malaysia

Prosecution challenges Zizie Izette’s acquittal in RM150 million FELCRA bribery case

Malaysia

SSM’s new corporate system clears 70,000 transactions as authorities tackle early disruptions

Malaysia

Disturbed woman at KLIA taken to hospital, had forgotten to take medication

Malaysia

Sabah youths urged to see agriculture as modern career and business opportunity - Masidi