AMRI CHE MAT 12. On 16 June 2017, SUHAKAM released a press statement2 sta�ng that SUHAKAM will inves�gate the disappearances of the Missing Persons in accordance with its statutory mandate and powers. SUHAKAM further stated that it would assist the authori�es with their ongoing inves�ga�ons and called on individuals who may have relevant and important informa�on to come forward in order to have their statements recorded by SUHAKAM. 13. Notwithstanding the above, SUHAKAM reiterated its calls on the authori�es to fully and expedi�ously inves�gate all the disappearances, especially where there are suspicions in the minds of the public that the disappearances may be enforced disappearances. Panel for the Public Inquiry and Terms of Reference 14. 15. On 9 August 2017, Chairman of SUHAKAM released a press statement to announce that SUHAKAM will be conduc�ng a Public Inquiry into the disappearances of Joshua Hilmi and Ruth Hilmi, social ac�vist Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh. 3 In its statement, SUHAKAM announced that the Public Inquiry, scheduled to commence in October 2017, would consider, among others: 14.1. Whether these cases are cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances, as defined under the Interna�onal Conven�on for the Protec�on of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (“ICPPED”) that defines an enforced disappearance as the arrest, deten�on, abduc�on or any other form of depriva�on of liberty by agents of the State or by persons or groups of persons ac�ng with the authorisa�on, support or acquiescence of the State; and 14.2. Whether the authori�es, specifically the Police have taken adequate steps to inves�gate these cases. On 5 October 2017, pursuant to SUHAKAM’s press statement on 9 August 2017, a panel for the Public Inquiry was formed to inves�gate the disappearances. The panel comprised three SUHAKAM Commissioners namely, Dato’ Mah Weng Kwai 2 Press Statement No.20 of 2017 ((SUHAKAM Will Inves�gate the Cases Of Missing Persons / Disappearance Of Pastor Raymond Koh, Amri Che Mat, Pastor Joshua Hilmi and Ruth Hilmi, To Assist the Authori�es with Their Ongoing Inves�ga�on) h�ps://www.suhakam.org.my/press-statement-no-20-of-2017-suhakam-will-inves�gate-the-cases-of-missing-personsdisappearance-of-pastor-raymond-koh-amri-che-mat-pastor-joshua-hilmi-and-ruth-hilmi-to-assist-the-authori�e/ 3 Press Statement No. 29 Of 2017 (SUHAKAM's Public Inquiry on Disappearance Cases) h�ps://www.suhakam.org.my/press-statement-no-29-of-2017-suhakams-public-inquiry-on-disappearance-cases/ 86