KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has declared his readiness to assist any investigation into claims that police were behind the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh and social activist Amri Che Mat.

Khalid, who was inspector-general of police (IGP) when the two men disappeared in 2016 and 2017, said he had no qualms aiding any investigation into the claims, which were made by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

He said Suhakam’s conclusion from its inquiry into the disappearance of the men, which the report had said was an “enforced disappearance”, was circumstantial and hearsay.

“Suhakam’s decision was purely circumstantial and hearsay. This is also a wild accusation by Suhakam against the police.

“My testimony in the inquiry stands. There is no such thing as an enforced disappearance.

“I will assist (any investigation),” he told the New Straits Times.

Khalid had appeared as a witness in Suhakam’s inquiry in October 2017.

Suhakam’s report, released on Wednesday, had claimed that Koh, a pastor, and Amri, a Shia Muslim, had been accused of proselytising to Muslims and were under monitoring by religious authorities and the police Special Branch.

Prior to his retirement as IGP in 2017, Khalid had said a group based in southern Thailand might have been involved in Koh’s abduction.

On Wednesday, IGP Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun told the media that he needed to read the inquiry report before commenting on the findings.

Khalid took to Twitter yesterday to voice his views on the matter.

Via his handle, @KBAB51, Khalid shared an article that quoted Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as saying that Suhakam’s findings were hearsay unless backed by evidence.

Khalid maintained that Suha-kam’s findings were circumstantial at best.

“In Pastor Koh and Amri’s issue, SUHAKAM’s decisions/accusations on @PDRMsia was based on circumstances. My testimony during the inquiry stands.”

He came under fire from Twitter users.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2019/04/476338/ex-igp-suhakams-report-hearsay