6. In furtherance of the protec�on and promo�on of human rights in Malaysia, SUHAKAM was established under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 (“the Act”). 7. SUHAKAM’s func�ons are set out in Sec�on 4 of the Act, in par�cular, Sec�on 4(1)(d) which provides that one of the func�ons of SUHAKAM “shall be to inquire into complaints regarding infringements of human rights.” 8. Further, Sec�on 12 of the Act empowers SUHAKAM to act on its own mo�on to inquire into allega�ons of infringement of human rights or to act on complaints submi�ed to SUHAKAM. 9. Due to the serious concerns surrounding the three (3) cases of disappearances, on 20 April 2017, a coali�on of civil society groups led by Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) submi�ed a Memorandum to SUHAKAM on behalf of the families of the several persons that were reportedly missing: Joshua Hilmi and his wife, Ruth Hilmi, social ac�vist Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh (“Missing Persons”). SUHAKAM was called on to assist the families concerned, to inves�gate and determine the whereabouts of these Missing Persons and to serve as a channel of communica�on between the families, the Police and the Government of Malaysia. 10. On 21 April 2017, the Chairman of SUHAKAM, Tan Sri Razali Ismail (“SUHAKAM Chairman”) issued a press statement1 calling on the authori�es to use all means at their disposal to discover the fate of these Missing Persons, to take all necessary steps to alleviate the concerns and unease among the public in this regard and to bring to jus�ce those responsible for the disappearances. 11. Up to June 2017, the disappearances of Joshua Hilmi, Ruth Hilmi, Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh remained unresolved. It must be highlighted that to date the families of the Missing Persons have not received any demand for ransom for their release nor has anyone or party claimed responsibility for the disappearance of the Missing Persons. 1 Press Statement No.14 Of 2017 (Memorandum from SUARA RAKYAT MALAYSIA (SUARAM) h�ps://www.suhakam.org.my/press - - statement no-14-of-2017-memorandum-from-suara-rakyat-malaysia-suaram/ 5 PASTOR RAYMOND KOH B. Memorandum Submi�ed to SUHAKAM