As we approach the first anniversary of the violent abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh from the streets of Petaling Jaya on 13 February 2017, the Christian Federation of Malaysia urges churches and Christians to continue to look to God in prayer and to seek a closure to this dastardly act on a servant of God.
Let us in the coming days go before Almighty God to make intercession before Him that Pastor Raymond Koh may be found and be reunited with his family.
Let us remember his beloved wife Susanna and his dear children Jonathan, Esther and Elizabeth in our prayers. That they be given great endurance and patience, be filled with the love of God and the peace which transcends all human understanding and find strength in their joy in the Lord is our fervent cry.
We call on the authorities to complete with all urgency and diligence, all investigations into finding Pastor Raymond Koh and also Amri Che Mat, Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth Sitepu.
Hopes that investigations by the authorities could be assisted by facts established by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) upon the conclusion of their inquiry into the abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh were dashed when the inquiry into his disappearance was brought to an abrupt halt once Suhakam was informed that a person had been charged for criminal kidnapping and abduction. Not being accompanied by any information as to the whereabouts of Pastor Raymond Koh, the arrest did not however alleviate the anxieties of many with regard to his well-being.
2. We remain nonetheless hopeful that as it continues to probe the disappearances of Amri Che Mat, Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth, Suhakam will be able to elicit facts to assuage the fears and concerns of many Malaysians struggling to understand how and why fellow Malaysians can suddenly disappear and not be found for such extended periods of time.
Signed,
Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim,
Chairman and the Executive Committee,
The Christian Federation of Malaysia