Raymond and Susanna Koh. Raymond disappeared five years ago after sharing the gospel with Muslims in Malaysia.,,,
The wife of a pastor abducted by Malaysian state secret police has called on Christians for support after being given the dates his alleged abductors will be questioned by the country’s high court.
Susanna Koh’s husband Raymond was seized in broad daylight with three others in Petaling Jaya on 13 February 2017 and has not been seen or heard from since.
Now Susanna, who has advocated tirelessly for the past five years, will see his alleged abductors questioned by the Kuala Lumpur High Court from December 19-22 in a bid to find the answers she has been denied.
“We hope we can get some truth about what happened to Raymond because the police officers we suspect were involved will be questioned in court,” Susanna told New Life. “We’ve faced absolute silence, but we haven’t given up.”
In April 2019, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia concluded that Raymond was a victim of forced disappearance by the state, namely the Special Branch of the Malaysian Police Department. But while a government task force was formed to investigate his whereabouts in 2019, it is yet to publish its report.
In a country where every ethnic Malay is expected to be Muslim and Christians who share their faith face intimidation and harassment, Susanna believes Raymond was abducted because he was accused of attempting to convert Muslims. But that is unjust, she adds.
“Malaysia is a democracy and we have laws where everyone who has done something wrong has the right to counsel. How can citizens be kidnapped in broad daylight on a public road by people who are supposed to protect us?”
As Susanna has campaigned, she has been supported by her Christian faith.
“Sometimes I feel frustrated that we are not receiving justice but I’m thankful I have a God who is big and powerful and strengthens me when I’m weak.”
She is grateful for the backing she has received from international organisations such as Open Doors, The Voice of the Martyrs and the US Commission of International Freedom, who have been at the forefront of advocating for Raymond.
Susanna is also thankful for people who have prayed for and written to her and has asked for that support to continue.
“People could take a few moments to remember Raymond and the others who were disappeared, they could write to their MPs to encourage the Malaysian government to be accountable or they could write cards to encourage the families of victims of enforced disappearances,” she says.
Susanna and her three children, meanwhile, remain committed to their campaign.
“We will not give up. We will keep going until we find answers,” she says. “Please pray with us for justice.”
