Suhakam commissioners presiding over the public inquiry into the disappearance of Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth Sitepu expressed their disappointment with the lack of preparation of a police witness who took the stand today.
Commissioner Hishamuddin Yunus said he was disappointed with the lack of information from the 13th witness, Assistant Superintendent Hairol Azhar.
“An officer who is coming to the inquiry must be well prepared. I’m rather upset and disappointed,” said Hishamuddin after the witness could not give precise answers to the questions posed to him.
“He could have requested for another date (if not prepared).”
Police observers at the inquiry said Hairol had come all the way from the Kemaman district police headquarters in Terengganu, adding he should have been given more time to prepare.
They said Hairol should have been given two to three days to get the investigation diary from the Sg Way investigating officer.
Hairol was the Sg Way police station chief in 2018 when he was assigned to track down Joshua and Ruth.
He was in charge of the case for 18 days. He submitted his report to the head of the criminal investigation department on October 23 the same year before he was transferred to Terengganu. – TMI