AG finds grounds to appeal court's verdict on Koh, Amri's cases
Malaysiakini Team
Published: Nov 13, 2025 11:55 AM
Updated: 3:48 PM
PARLIAMENT | The attorney-general (AG) has determined that an appeal will be filed against High Court verdicts ruling the police and the government responsible for the disappearances of pastor Raymond Koh and activist Amri Che Mat.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stressed, however, that the appeal should not be viewed as the government taking lightly issues of lives, rights, or freedoms.
“(The appeal) does not mean that the government… prioritises financial burden above (such issues), not at all. This is about upholding the universal principles of justice, (which) maintains the right to an appeal.
“The AG believes there are grounds for an appeal, and that is what they are proceeding with,” Saifuddin told the Dewan Rakyat today.
The minister asserted that the issue at hand lies with the “nature” of the court’s order, referencing Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Su Tiang Joo’s order for the government to pay RM10,000 into a trust account for Koh until the pastor is found.
The payment is calculated from Feb 13, 2017, the date of Koh’s abduction - amounting to about RM31.9 million to date.
“Without downplaying the seriousness of a disappearance, whether or not it involves someone’s life, is no small matter, but we must deal with the reality: RM10,000 per day is taxpayers’ money, and the (total amount) is still ongoing,” he emphasised.
Police carried out duties
Speaking during the Minister’s Question Time in the lower House, Saifuddin said that “statistically,” for every 10 missing persons cases, nine of them end up being found eventually, highlighting that the police had carried out their duties to locate Koh and Amri.
Published: Nov 13, 2025 11:55 AM
Updated: 3:48 PM
PARLIAMENT | The attorney-general (AG) has determined that an appeal will be filed against High Court verdicts ruling the police and the government responsible for the disappearances of pastor Raymond Koh and activist Amri Che Mat.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stressed, however, that the appeal should not be viewed as the government taking lightly issues of lives, rights, or freedoms.
“(The appeal) does not mean that the government… prioritises financial burden above (such issues), not at all. This is about upholding the universal principles of justice, (which) maintains the right to an appeal.
“The AG believes there are grounds for an appeal, and that is what they are proceeding with,” Saifuddin told the Dewan Rakyat today.
The minister asserted that the issue at hand lies with the “nature” of the court’s order, referencing Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Su Tiang Joo’s order for the government to pay RM10,000 into a trust account for Koh until the pastor is found.
The payment is calculated from Feb 13, 2017, the date of Koh’s abduction - amounting to about RM31.9 million to date.
“Without downplaying the seriousness of a disappearance, whether or not it involves someone’s life, is no small matter, but we must deal with the reality: RM10,000 per day is taxpayers’ money, and the (total amount) is still ongoing,” he emphasised.
Police carried out duties
Speaking during the Minister’s Question Time in the lower House, Saifuddin said that “statistically,” for every 10 missing persons cases, nine of them end up being found eventually, highlighting that the police had carried out their duties to locate Koh and Amri.
Raymond Koh (left) and Amri Che Mat
“The court’s decision was based on the premise that the police’s failure to find (Koh and Amri) constituted a breach of constitutional trust - this could set a precedent.
“In future, if someone goes missing, their families could sue the government on the grounds that the police failed to conduct a proper investigation,” he added, noting that the matter was one of the key considerations for an appeal.
Govt, police liable
On Nov 5, the High Court found the government and police liable for Koh and Amri’s disappearances.
Su awarded Amri’s wife, Norhayati Ariffin, RM3 million in damages, comprising RM2 million in general damages and RM1 million in exemplary damages. The court also ordered RM14,457.52 in special damages and RM250,000 in costs to the plaintiff.
Separately, besides the RM10,000 per day payment, Su additionally awarded RM4 million in damages to Koh, alongside RM1 million in aggravated damages for the prolonged delay in locating him and another RM1 million for unconstitutional acts by the defendants.
“In future, if someone goes missing, their families could sue the government on the grounds that the police failed to conduct a proper investigation,” he added, noting that the matter was one of the key considerations for an appeal.
Govt, police liable
On Nov 5, the High Court found the government and police liable for Koh and Amri’s disappearances.
Su awarded Amri’s wife, Norhayati Ariffin, RM3 million in damages, comprising RM2 million in general damages and RM1 million in exemplary damages. The court also ordered RM14,457.52 in special damages and RM250,000 in costs to the plaintiff.
Separately, besides the RM10,000 per day payment, Su additionally awarded RM4 million in damages to Koh, alongside RM1 million in aggravated damages for the prolonged delay in locating him and another RM1 million for unconstitutional acts by the defendants.
Pastor Raymond Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew
Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, the second plaintiff in the suit, was granted RM2 million in general and aggravated damages for mental distress, plus RM1 million in exemplary damages.
Commenting on the difference in the compensation amounts awarded by the court to Koh and Amri’s families, Saifuddin said the variation is due to distinctions between the basis of claims filed in both cases.
“(Koh’s) family relied on the argument of ‘enforced disappearance,’ as stated in the Suhakam report, while (Amri’s) wife did not use that basis when initiating legal action,” the minister said today in response to an additional query from opposition MP Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun).
Yesterday, Putra president Ibrahim Ali had criticised what he described as a “disgraceful disparity” in compensation awarded to Koh and Amri’s families, especially since both cases of enforced disappearance were ruled as failures of state protection.
‘We respect rule of law’
In his parliamentary response today, Saifuddin also reiterated that police are complying with the court’s order to reopen investigations into the duo’s disappearances.
“The government respects the principle of the rule of law and is committed to seeking the truth and upholding justice.
“The police have immediately set up an investigation team, although the earlier investigation was never closed, and this time it will be led by an officer with the rank of ACP,” the minister said.
Affirming that the team has already begun its duties, Saifuddin said those assigned to the matter will review all initial investigation papers, Suhakam reports, and a report from a previous special task force.
Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, the second plaintiff in the suit, was granted RM2 million in general and aggravated damages for mental distress, plus RM1 million in exemplary damages.
Commenting on the difference in the compensation amounts awarded by the court to Koh and Amri’s families, Saifuddin said the variation is due to distinctions between the basis of claims filed in both cases.
“(Koh’s) family relied on the argument of ‘enforced disappearance,’ as stated in the Suhakam report, while (Amri’s) wife did not use that basis when initiating legal action,” the minister said today in response to an additional query from opposition MP Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun).
Yesterday, Putra president Ibrahim Ali had criticised what he described as a “disgraceful disparity” in compensation awarded to Koh and Amri’s families, especially since both cases of enforced disappearance were ruled as failures of state protection.
‘We respect rule of law’
In his parliamentary response today, Saifuddin also reiterated that police are complying with the court’s order to reopen investigations into the duo’s disappearances.
“The government respects the principle of the rule of law and is committed to seeking the truth and upholding justice.
“The police have immediately set up an investigation team, although the earlier investigation was never closed, and this time it will be led by an officer with the rank of ACP,” the minister said.
Affirming that the team has already begun its duties, Saifuddin said those assigned to the matter will review all initial investigation papers, Suhakam reports, and a report from a previous special task force.
“They will also gather new statements. I invite anyone with information to come forward to assist the police investigation,” he appealed.
Amri, an alleged Shia follower and proselytiser, vanished on Nov 24, 2016, in Kangar, Perlis. His wife had testified that on May 12, 2018, a Special Branch officer from Perlis, Shamzaini Daud, told her the division was responsible for the abduction.
Koh, 62, was abducted in broad daylight along Jalan SS4B/10 in Petaling Jaya while driving to a friend’s house. CCTV footage believed to have captured the incident showed at least 15 men and three black SUVs involved in the operation.
In 2019, Suhakam concluded that both Koh and Amri were victims of enforced disappearance carried out by Special Branch members from Bukit Aman.
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