It's been seven long years. The disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh stands not only as an affront to human rights but as a damning indictment of those in authority who have turned a blind eye to the cries for justice.
Pastor Koh was forcibly abducted in broad daylight by masked men who dragged him out of his car in the middle of the street. Despite overwhelming evidence implicating state agents in his disappearance, the authorities have shamelessly failed to take decisive action. Their inaction screams complicity and betrays the very principles of justice they are sworn to uphold.
Governments have come and gone. Prime Ministers have come and gone. Yet, are we any closer to the truth? Let's not mince words. The chilling CCTV footage capturing the brutally efficient abduction, the eyewitness testimonies, and the shocking revelations from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) all point to a coordinated operation sanctioned by those in power.
The deafening silence from those at the helm is not only cowardly but disgraceful. Isn't there one upright man or woman of integrity in authority who will finally bring closure? How can we, as a society, stand idly by while the fundamental rights of our citizens are trampled upon? The blame does not lie solely with those who carried out this heinous act, but also with those who have allowed impunity to reign. From the authorities who have failed to investigate with due diligence, to the leaders who have turned a blind eye to injustice, and to the individuals who have chosen silence. Shame on you!
The disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger disease plaguing our nation – a disease of corruption, abuse of power and the dangerous weaponising of religion. No one will admit it openly but everyone knows that the enforced disappearance has everything to do with supposedly "defending the sanctity of religion.” It is a stain on the fabric of our nation, and it will not be washed away until all those responsible are held accountable and brought to justice.
A faithful husband. A devoted father. A Christian whose “crime” seems to have been his selfless charity work among the marginalised and underprivileged including Chinese, Indians, foreigners, and “unfortunately”, Malays too. And that was what made him a marked man.
When will his family get justice? Will they get answers? Surely someone in some department somewhere knows exactly what happened and why and who did it and who ordered it. Was he abducted in order to threaten him to quit his activities? Was he tortured? Did it go too far? What’s the reason for the cover-up? Will exposing the truth implicate and shame an institution that is untouchable?
The authorities must release all information on Raymond Koh's abduction and prosecute those responsible, regardless of their position and power. Anything less would be a betrayal of our collective conscience and a mockery of justice.
Malaysians cannot afford to remain silent even though it's been seven years. The world is still watching and waiting.
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