CCTV footage shows the moment that five black SUVs, two motorcycles and 15 men wearing black balaclavas took just 42 seconds to abduct Pastor Raymond Koh on a street in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia in broad daylight. An eyewitness described the February 2017 incident as ‘something out of a movie’.

Pastor Raymond hasn’t been seen or heard from since that day four years ago. His family is still seeking answers, fighting for justice and continuing to trust that God will help them find the truth.

Pastor Raymond’s activities had drawn the attention of the authorities for some time before his abduction. In 2004 he founded Harapan Komuniti (Hope Community), a NGO that provides social and charitable assistance to marginalised and underprivileged communities. In 2011, a dinner organised by the NGO was raided by 30 officers from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department after the organisers were accused of ‘proselytising Muslims’. Pastor Koh’s family received death threats in the aftermath - once he received a box of bullets in the post. Despite this, Pastor Raymond continued to carry out his ministry work bravely until his abduction. Pastor Raymond’s family believe that he was abducted in an attempt to silence him. 

‘When I came back there was no fear…’

It is hard to imagine what we would do in Susanna’s situation. How would we find the strength to persevere, to be strong for our children and to keep seeking the truth? Susanna shared with us her journey...

‘I believe that everyone goes through difficult times in one way or another. For me it has been a long and difficult journey, but I believe that the Lord is my Good Shepherd. Around three weeks after the abduction, when I was coming to the end of myself, God took me to a silent retreat. During that time he ministered to me through the book of Ruth. God spoke to me very personally, showing me that he is my kinsman redeemer and the provider of all my needs. When I came back [to Malaysia], there was no fear of the interrogators or the police who were following me. I could even stand up to them and exert my rights.’

Susanna continues to stand up for her family’s rights, seeking the truth of her husband’s abduction. The family made a complaint to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, who, after a year-long enquiry, concluded that the Special Branch of the Malaysian Police were responsible. The government set up a special task force to look into this finding, but there has been no update from the task force. 

Susanna has also met the former and current prime ministers of Malaysia, as well as filing a civil suit against the police and the government. ‘We are praying and trusting God for him to help us find the truth,’ she told us.

‘I want to thank the Church of God for their prayers'

‘Throughout these four years, the prayers of the saints have sustained me. God caused a spirit of prayer around the world for Pastor Raymond. I want to thank the Church of God worldwide for their prayers and for standing with us in our ordeal. It’s wonderful to see the body of Christ helping one another - when one part  suffers, the whole body suffers. We are one family.’

Susanna has been so blessed by the prayers, support and encouragement from people all over the world and is thankful for every single person who has helped to keep his case alive. She has received hundreds and thousands of cards over the last four years.

‘We don’t want the authorities to forget about Pastor Raymond,’ she told us.

Your prayers and support sustain Susanna and many others whose loved ones have been abducted or forcibly disappeared. Your cards and campaigning, in combination with CSW’s advocacy, ensure that the authorities do not forget about Pastor Raymond and the countless others around the world who have been disappeared in connection with their faith.

Watch Susanna share her family’s story at: csw.org.uk/pastorkoh

Send a card or letter of encouragement to Susanna and Pastor Koh’s family at:

Susanna Koh

#107, Lot LG109B, One Utama Shopping Centre,

No 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama

47800 Petaling Jaya

Selangor, West Malaysia

Or you can email Susanna at liewsusanna@yahoo.com