Shia, Christian activities posed no threat to country, Pastor Koh trial told
Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted on Jalan SS4B/10 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, eight years ago. (File pic) KUALA LUMPUR : A former senior officer with Bukit Aman's Special Branch told the High Court here today that Shia and Christianisation activities posed no threat to the security of the country.
Mohamad Nadzri Mat Isa, a former leader of the Special Branch's social extremism division, said the finding was made known to him at a briefing by his officers shortly after he took over the unit in August 2018.
'I was also told about Pastor (Raymond) Koh's case, which was a hot topic. As it was under investigation by the criminal investigation department, we did not interfere,' he said.
Nadzri was testifying in a lawsuit brought by Koh's wife, Susanna Liew, against the police and the government over Koh's disappearance after he was abducted on Jalan SS4B/10 in Petaling Jaya eight years ago.
Liew wants the authorities to be held liable for her husband's abduction and for misfeasance in public office.
Nadzri told the court he was aware that his predecessor, Awaludin Jadid, had taken a 'conflicting stand' about Shia and Christians.
A task force set up by the government in 2019 to probe the disappearances of Koh and another activist, Amri Che Mat, named Awaludin and nine others as persons of interest.
Asked during cross-examination about Awaludin's remarks, Nadzri refused to comment.
However, lawyer Jerald Gomez, appearing for Liew, pressed the witness for a response, pointing out the contradiction.
'He (Awaludin) said in a ceramah that (those professing) Shia are now in our judiciary, religious departments and even in the police, and it would be hard to 'bring cases' against them,' the lawyer said.
'This is what the task force concluded. I don't want to answer,' said Nadzri.
When Gomez pressed further, Nadzri told Justice Su Tiang Joo that he did not wish to answer questions about Awaludin.
Gomez then told the trial judge that he will take up the matter during submissions.
'No agenda against Koh's wife'
Earlier today, the court heard testimony from investigating officer Supari Muhammad, who claimed he had no 'agenda' against Liew when questioning her on proselytisation , instead of Koh's abduction.
'From the record, we found out about the event he organised at DUMC (Damansara Utama Methodist Church) which was said to be a proselytisation event.
'I just want to know whether he had enemies because he lodged a report saying that he received bullets . I am not blaming Madam Susan (Liew) or the pastor,' he said.
Supari said he had yet to find any motive for Koh's alleged abduction.
The hearing continues on June 3.
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