Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Malaysia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: February/13/2017
Current Status: Unknown
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Disappeared
Reason for Persecution: Humanitarian Work & Charitable Activities Religious Activity Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Not Applicable
Raymond Koh was forcibly disappeared for his religious activity and humanitarian work.
On February 13, 2017, Koh, a pastor, was abducted after his car was surrounded by three black SUVs outside Kuala Lumpur. Prior to his disappearance, Koh ran an NGO focused on helping people living with HIV/AIDs, recovering addicts, and single mothers and children. Local Islamic authorities once investigated his organization and its various social and charitable endeavors over allegations that the group was working to convert Muslims to Christianity.
On October 19, 2017, the national Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), began an investigation into the disappearance of Koh.
On April 3, 2019, SUHAKAM announced that Koh was a victim of enforced disappearance, noting that the Special Branch, an intelligence unit affiliated with the Malaysian police force, targeted Koh specifically for his religious activities.
On June 26, 2019, the government formed a task force designated to investigate into the whereabouts of Koh and other disappeared persons.
In February 2020, Koh's wife filed a lawsuit against the government to make public the task force's report.
USCIRF Commissioners David Curry and Stephen Schneck, Tweet, February 13, 2024
USCIRF Event: Rising Authoritarianism in ASEAN Member States March 8, 2023
USCIRF Commissioners David Curry and Stephen Schneck, Tweet, February 13, 2023
USCIRF Commissioner Stephen Schneck, Tweet, December 19, 2022
USCIRF Commissioners Stephen Schneck and David Curry, Tweet, December 18, 2022
USCIRF Press Release: USCIRF Calls Attention to Pastor Raymond Koh on 5th Anniversary of Disappearance, February 11, 2022
USCIRF Spotlight Podcast: Political Instability Fuels Decline for Religious Freedom in Malaysia, November 2021
USCIRF Country Update: Malaysia November 2021
USCIRF Commissioner James Carr, Tweet, November 2, 2021
USCIRF Event: FoRB Victims List and Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project Update, February 25, 2021
USCIRF Tweet February 8, 2021
USCIRF Press Release: USCIRF Commissioner Jim Carr Adopts Pastor Raymond Koh through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project, November 23, 2020
"Task force on Koh, Amri disappearance wants more time to prepare report" Free Malaysia Today
USCIRF Factsheet: Enforced Disappearances in Malaysia, October 2019
"Public Inquiry into the Disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh" Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)