Malaysia: court confirms state involvement in Pastor Koh’s abduction

Written by David Fletcher 27 Nov 2025
Malaysia: court confirms state involvement in Pastor Koh’s abduction

A landmark ruling in Malaysia has recognised state involvement in the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh, who was abducted in broad daylight in February 2017 and has not been seen since. The high court has ordered the government and police to pay RM 37 million (about £6.8 million) in compensation for wrongful acts. Justice Su Tiang Joo allocated RM 33 million for the enforced disappearance and a further RM 4 million in damages to Pastor Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, with RM 250,000 awarded for costs. Importantly, the funds must be held in trust until Koh’s whereabouts are known, highlighting the ongoing search for truth. Koh’s abduction, which was captured on camera, involved three SUVs and fifteen men and was completed within forty seconds. While the ruling offers a measure of closure and vindication, his wife expressed deep concern that authorities have failed to act on the findings of previous inquiries or take any action against police officers who are confirmed as taking part in the abduction. Calling on the government to hold an enquiry about what happened to Pastor Koh and his present whereabouts, CSW’s president Mervyn Thomas said, ‘This is a landmark decision which demonstrates the judiciary’s independence by holding state actors accountable, and setting a legal precedent for cases involving enforced disappearance’.

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