Human rights group calls for IGP's immediate suspension

Human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has called for Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohamad Fuzi Harun to be suspended immediately over allegations of misconduct in the police force in relation to the disappearances of pastor Raymond Koh and activist Amri Che Mat.

This is in light of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s announcement yesterday that a new investigation would be launched based on the Human Rights Commission’s (Suhakam) findings on the pair’s disappearance, but only after Fuzi retires next month.

In a statement yesterday, Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy objected to the premier’s announcement and decision to allow Fuzi to remain as the country's police chief until his retirement. 

He said: “With such severe allegations against the police, specifically the Special Branch, the person in charge of the Special Branch at the time, who is now also the IGP, cannot continue to serve in the police.

“Any delay in suspension of the IGP would only be an insult to the rule of law and continue to tarnish the reputation of the police.”

He claimed that the police had “clearly failed” in its duties to probe the disappearances of Koh and Amri, as well as two other individuals, pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth.

'Ample opportunity'

Doraisamy added that the police had been given “ample opportunity to provide adequate evidence” to disprove the allegations and evidence produced throughout the inquiry, and that no party should claim that the finding of the inquiry was merely "hearsay".

The failure to identify the perpetrators and resolve the disappearances fell squarely on Fuzi, he said.

He emphasised that Fuzi must be held responsible to send a clear message to all civil servants that they are accountable for any misconduct or dereliction of duty.

“Any delay would only allow a person who has failed the country, the four disappeared individuals and their families to continue to enjoy the benefits of the office of the IGP and further besmirch (the police’s) reputation and credibility,” he said.

On Wednesday, Suhakam revealed its findings on the inquiry held into Koh and Amri's disappearances in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

The human rights commission claimed that the police Special Branch was responsible for the pair's abduction and demanded an independent taskforce to look into the disappearances.

At the time, Fuzi was heading the Special Branch.