An Elderly Pastor Was Abducted While Driving Alone In PJ

A video clip that allegedly shows Pastor Raymond Koh Keng Joo getting abducted has gone viral on social media.

The video footage is clear but has no audio and is believed to have been put together using CCTV security footage from houses near the abduction scene in Kelana Jaya.

"The entire attack took place in well under a minute. Seven vehicles and at least 15 men were involved in what appears to be a well-planned and professionally executed operation," read the subtitles in the video.

The three SUVs surrounded him on all three sides, and a fourth vehicle (a white sedan) was spotted stopping behind the convoy of SUVs.

About eight men were seen stepping out of the SUVs. "A struggle ensues, the victim's car jerks forward and a loud crash is heard," read the subtitles.

Two motorcycles were seen riding slowly past the abduction scene. In less than a minute, the convoy of cars are all driven away. The only thing left on the scene were shards of broken glass and the victim's car number plate.

The video has already been submitted to the authorities and Selangor state criminal investigation department chief senior assistant commissioner Fadzil Ahmat confirmed to NST they have already watched the footage.

"We are treating it as information to investigate Koh’s abduction. At this moment, we cannot confirm the authenticity of the video yet as we need to investigate deeper," said Fadzil, as reported by NST.

In their efforts to show support and solidarity to Pastor Koh's family, four candlelight vigils were held around the country yesterday, 5 March.

According to a report by New Straits Times, more than 500 people turned up at the gathering in Section 9, Shah Alam, last night. Pastor Raymond's wife, Susanna Liew, was also there with her family.

"To the abductors, please release him. He is a good man. He helps the poor, the marginalised and the needy. He has been giving out free food to the homeless in Kuala Lumpur. He has been helping those infected by HIV/AIDS. He started a football club for the youth and played with them," pleaded Liew.

The Star reported that about 150 people gathered at the Stadhuys building in Bandar Hilir. There were also vigils held in Georgetown and Johor Bahru.

According to a report by The Star today, abducted pastor Raymond Koh Keng Joo's family has raised the reward for any information regarding the kidnap case.

This comes after Pastor Raymond's wife, Susanna Liew Sow Yoke wrote an open letter a few days ago, asking for people to come forward if they have any details about her husband's abduction and offering RM10,000 as a reward for it.

"Our family is grateful and touched that concerned well-wishers have stepped up to increase the reward money offered," said Liew.

Meanwhile, Koh's son, Jonathan, said that the family is prepared to offer a reward for "any kind of information" on his father's whereabouts.

"A panel will decide how the full reward will be divided according to the accuracy and usefulness of information provided. The identity of informants will be kept private if requested," added Jonathan.

If you have any credible information about pastor Raymond's abduction, kindly contact Jonathan at 011-3973 2670.

On 13 February, 62-year-old Pastor Raymond Koh Keng Joo was kidnapped in broad daylight. It has been a week since the incident and the authorities still haven't been able to figure out the case.

In the midst of that, Pastor Raymond's wife, Susanna Liew Sow Yoke, a 61-year-old housewife wrote an open letter, shedding light on the details of the kidnap and offering a reward to anyone that can provide her with any information regarding her husband's case.

The letter was published on Malaysiakini on Saturday, 18 February.

"On Monday, Feb 13, 2017, my husband, Pastor Raymond Koh Keng Joo, 62, was allegedly abducted in Jalan SS4b/10, Petaling Jaya, less than 100 metres from the Kompleks Perumahan Polis.

"This was confirmed on Feb 14, 2017 by Selangor CID chief senior assistant commissioner Fadzil Ahmat.

"On the morning of Feb 13, 2017, my husband left our Prima Sixteen Chapter Two home in Jalan 16/18, Section 16, Petaling at around 10am to go to the Puncak Damansara Condominium in Kampung Sg Kayu Ara, Petaling Jaya.

"According to the police report filed by my son Jonathan Koh Szu Hao, 32, my husband left home at approximately 10am.

"He then drove to Puncak Damansara where I last saw him just after 10am. He was on his way to a mutual friend’s house in Kelana Jaya to deliver some ‘belacan’. My husband never arrived at his destination.

"He was ‘abducted’ in Jalan SS4b/10, Kelana Jaya, by at least five masked men while en route to our friend’s home. The abduction took place between 10.31:42 and 10.32:39am according to CCTV footage, currently with the police."

"My children and I are shocked, saddened and traumatised by the events of the past week. Today, it is almost a week since Raymond was abducted and we have heard nothing," read Susanna's letter.

Here's why she thinks so:

1. They were masked.

2. The abduction was professionally and deftly executed, taking less than 60 seconds.

3. The abductors had money, or were backed by money, or by an organisation with money as the cars they used were expensive SUVs, at least one of which was a black Toyota Alphard.

4. The abduction was planned, timed and executed at an opportune moment, which suggests that they were waiting for my husband who drives an old Silver Honda Accord bearing number plate ST 5515 D.

5. Someone in the group calmly filmed the entire abduction while other masked members of the group re-directed the traffic.

She added that witnesses have said that there were at least five masked men and three black SUVs involved in the abduction.

Pastor Raymond was kidnapped in the morning, around 10.30am but Susanna only found out about it at around 8pm on the same day, when a friend called to check with her why her husband did not show up for a 4pm meeting.

"The fact that after almost a week there is only silence suggests that the 'abductors' motive is not monetary gain," wrote Susanna.

"Since the abduction occurred in a residential area and in broad daylight, my family and I are prepared to offer a reward to anyone who can help shed light on this distressing incident.

"My husband has been involved in Harapan Komuniti, a community work project which he set up more than 10 years ago and which involves giving free tuition classes to children and English lessons to adults.

"I would like to appeal to those who have taken my husband to return him safe and unharmed to me and my children.

"I would also like to appeal to any eyewitnesses to come forward.

"I would also like offer a reward amounting to a maximum of RM10,000 for information leading to the rescue of my dear husband. Please WhatsApp Jonathan at 01139732670," ended Susanna's letter.

The Malaysian authorities have confirmed the kidnap victim as Pastor Raymond Koh Keng Joo. He was last seen driving a Honda Accord car with the registration number ST 5515 D on Monday morning.

The authorities are currently running investigations on the case, launching a manhunt for the people that may have been involved in the kidnap, reported ASTRO Awani.

"We're still trying to locate and rescue the victim, including hunting the suspects involved," said Selangor Criminal Investigation Department chief, SAC Fadzil Ahmat.

According to The Star, messages started circulating online that Koh was abducted from his car yesterday at Jalan Bahagia.

"Police received a report that occupants of a van stopped the pastor’s car, a silver Honda Accord, along Jalan Bahagia, Petaling Jaya, and abducted him," read one of the messages, as reported by The Star.

"So far we do not know the motive for the kidnapping and the victim's family members have not received any ransom demands from the kidnappers," explained Fadzil.

Due to that, Fadzil asked the public to not speculate or spread any false messages regarding the case.

According to a source, Pastor Raymond could have been taken in for investigations on the works of his ministry.

The case is currently being investigated under Section 365 of the Penal Code for kidnapping.