Two years after abduction, Raymond Koh's family still want answers

The family of Malaysian pastor Raymond Koh has asked the country's prime minister to order a new investigation into his kidnapping.

Koh was abducted two years ago by 15 masked men in a military-style operation caught on CCTV. His vehicle was taken and has not been recovered. Attempts to discover who took him and why have so far failed.

Malaysian Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted two years ago. change.org

His wife Susanna Liew told World Watch Monitor: 'It has already been two years and until now there's no result [of the inquiry]. We are at our wits' end. We don't know what else to do than to appeal to the highest authority to look into this matter and resolve it.'

She added that she admired Malaysia's new prime minister Mahathir bin Mohamad's commitment to the rule of law.

Three other victims of abduction, none of whom have been found, were also members of religious minorities in the Sunni Muslim country. Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth were last seen in November 2016, while Shia Muslim activist Amri Che Mat was kidnapped in an operation similar to Raymond Koh's.

Susannah Liew told an inquiry panel at the end of 2017 that she and her husband had been repeatedly harassed by Malaysian officials since 2011 and had been stopped for questioning several times by immigration and Special Branch officers when entering or leaving the country. She said she had even considered emigrating to Australia because of the stress.

Koh's daughter, Esther, told a local source she is suffering from mental torture not knowing where or how her father is.

'We are counting the days to be reconciled with him, but we are also prepared for anything,' said Liew.

The inquiry is expected to release its findings on March 6.

News
Pope seeks prayers for peace in Christmas Day message
Pope seeks prayers for peace in Christmas Day message

The Pope asked people to pray in particular for the "tormented people of Ukraine" in his Christmas Day 'Urbi et Orbi' message. 

Who was St Stephen and why is he remembered on December 26?
Who was St Stephen and why is he remembered on December 26?

The carol says, “Good King Wenceslas last looked out on the Feast of Stephen.” In many countries, December 26, also known as Boxing Day, is better known as St Stephen’s Day. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. This is the story …

King Charles reflects on pilgrimage, reconciliation and hope in Christmas Day address
King Charles reflects on pilgrimage, reconciliation and hope in Christmas Day address

King Charles III used his Christmas Day speech to reflect on the significance of pilgrimage as he appealed to the nation "to cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation". 

2 Timothy 3:16 is Logos' Bible verse of the year, Matthew was the most studied book
2 Timothy 3:16 is Logos' Bible verse of the year, Matthew was the most studied book

One of the most-studied Bible verses of the year is from 2 Timothy in the New Testament, according to an analysis of millions of Bible study sessions that tracked how believers worldwide are engaging with Scripture.