More than 600 attend vigil for Pastor Raymond Koh

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From left: Rev Lenita, Esther, Liew during the special prayers for the safe return of Pastor Koh

MIRI: More than 600 people attended a vigil at the Mei Ann Methodist Church on Thursday night here for Pastor Raymond Koh Keng Joo, who has been missing for 68 days since he was abducted by unknown men.

Suanna Liew, Koh’s wife, who spoke at the vigil which started at 7pm, said her family was going through a harrowing time without news or clues from the police on his whereabouts, well-being or his abductors.

Liew said she was still puzzled why her husband, a simple religious man, was abducted in a peaceful country like Malaysia.

“There is no justification for abducting someone like him violently because Malaysia is a nation of law and order.

“I pray that the police will do their job and bring the abductors to justice. I hope that my husband is still alive and will return,” she said when met by The Borneo Post after the vigil.

Among those present were Koh’s daughter Esther, District Superintendent of the Methodist Church Miri District (Miri and Limbang Divisions) Rev Simon Ting, pastors of the various Methodist Churches here including Pastor of the Grace Methodist Church, Reverend Lenita Tiong.

Liew added that despite their ordeal, she and her family remain strong and are thankful for the support they received from Christians of other Churches and even Muslims and Hindus.

“We last met the police on March 23 and on March 6 we were briefed by ACP Fadzil Ahmat on the latest development on their search for my husband and they said they will call us if there are any new developments.

“As of tonight, 67 days have gone without any news,” Liew said.

She said besides Miri, she and her daughter had attended similar gatherings organised recently in Kota Kinabalu, in Kelana Jaya and Shah Alam.

“We don’t mind paying for our airfares to Miri and Sabah. We take this opportunity to thank the people and also pray together in glorifying God for He continuously gives us inner strength,” she added.

Earlier during the sharing session, Liew said the case of her missing husband had brought many people in Malaysia to pray together.

“I believe God is working out His purpose for Malaysia. From what I can see, God has caused many people to pray to Him, fast and join together with others in small and big groups for a unified purpose,” said Liew.

Besides special prayers for Pastor Koh and his family, prayers were also offered up for the three other missing persons – Perlis Hope Welfare Organisation activist, Amri Che Mat, Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth.

Pastor Koh was abducted on Feb 13 in broad daylight while driving along Jalan SS4B/10, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

His family is offering a RM100,000 cash reward for information leading to his safe return.