A vigil marking the fifth anniversary of the forced disappearance of Malaysian Pastor Raymond Koh has been held in Kuala Lumpur. The kidnapped pastor’s wife described her pain at not knowing the fate of her husband. ‘We are frozen in grief,’ she said.
In-person attendance at the Council of Churches Hall was restricted to 70, due to the Covid pandemic. But a further 2,535 participated via a live online broadcast.
‘God is with him’
wife of Pastor Koh
Pastor Koh’s wife Susanna Liew gave a moving address. ‘Whether he is dead or alive, God is with him,’ she said.
But, she added, if her husband is no longer alive, then she would want to thank those who had kidnapped him for ‘giving him the privilege and honour to die as a martyr.’
A statement released by the family said: ‘It has been five years since Pastor Raymond has been forcibly disappeared by security forces without any trace or news since 13 February 2017.
‘The family is disappointed and saddened by the inaction of the authorities towards the plight of the victim and family. We cannot describe the suffering as we are frozen in grief, uncertain of his whereabouts and well-being. We cannot move on.’
Petition
Release International is pressing the Malaysian government to investigate the disappearance of Pastor Koh and bring about his release. The petition to the Prime Minister and the Inspector General of Police states:
‘One of your country’s loyal citizens… Pastor Raymond Koh was kidnapped off the streets on February 13, 2017, and has not been seen since. His wife and children have been left to wonder what happened to him and whether he is still alive.
‘We, Pastor Raymond’s fellow Christians from around the world, call on your government to release any and all information related to the forced disappearance… including any involvement of Special Branch.’
Prayer
Do please continue to pray for Susanna and the rest of Pastor Raymond’s family. Pray also that the Malaysian government will respond to international calls to release information about Pastor Raymond’s disappearance.