SRW Welcomes Malaysian Court Rulings on Enforced Disappearance Cases
SRW Welcomes Malaysian Court Rulings on Enforced Disappearance Cases
—————————-
The Shia Rights Watch (SRW) organization has welcomed landmark rulings by Malaysia’s High Court holding state authorities responsible for the enforced disappearances of social activist Amri Cheh Mat and Christian pastor Raymond Koh, describing the decisions as a significant step toward accountability and the rule of law.
In a statement issued following the verdicts, SRW said the court’s findings marked a judicial turning point by recognizing state liability in the two long-running cases and ordering remedies for the victims’ families. According to the organization, the rulings were issued on November 5, 2025, and held government bodies and security agencies legally responsible for the abductions, approved financial compensation, and directed authorities to complete investigations to clarify the fate of the missing men.
Amri Cheh Mat has been missing since November 2016. SRW said the court confirmed that authorities failed to conduct a serious and effective investigation, citing negligence in examining potential motives related to his Shia identity and religious activities. The organization said the judgment highlighted broader institutional shortcomings in protecting the Shia minority in Malaysia, which it says faces restrictions on religious practice.
Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted in February 2017. In his case, the court ordered government agencies to compensate the family with more than 30 million Malaysian ringgit, according to SRW.
While noting the difference in compensation amounts between the two cases, SRW said the court’s acknowledgment that enforced disappearances occurred constituted an important affirmation of fundamental rights and human dignity, regardless of religious affiliation.
The organization called on Malaysian authorities to implement the rulings without delay, ensure transparent and thorough investigations, and pursue legislative reforms to address what it described as systemic discrimination against religious minorities. SRW also urged comprehensive accountability to ensure that those responsible for enforced disappearances are brought to justice.
SRW concluded by commending the families of Amri Cheh Mat and Raymond Koh for their persistence and reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for religious freedom and minority rights at international forums.
