The family of Rudangta “Ruth” Sitepu, who was reported missing together with her husband, Pastor Joshua Hilmy, is seeking justice for her disappearance.
Indonesian broadcaster CNN Indonesia said Ruth, who is Indonesian, was reported missing along with her Malaysian husband, Hilmy, back in 2016.
It reported that Ruth’s family had lodged a police report in Malaysia, adding that they also lodged a report with the Indonesian Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras).
It said the couple were married according to Batak customs in 2006. Ruth then moved to Malaysia with Hilmy, a pastor, a year later.
According to the report, Ruth communicated with her family in Indonesia via Facebook and by phone calls.
However, the family said Ruth had not responded to any of their messages or calls since November 2016.
In March 2017, it was reported that a family member in Malaysia notified Ruth’s family in Medan that a missing persons report had been lodged over the couple.
CNN Indonesia said it was the owner of the house which Ruth and Hilmy lived in who lodged the report.
But it said Malaysian police had rejected the police report, as it was not made by a family member, adding that the police also said their investigation had reached a dead-end, as there was no information on their whereabouts.
Hilmy and Ruth were reported missing together with Pastor Raymond Koh and Perlis activist Amri Che Mat.
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) initiated investigations in connection with these disappearances under Section 12(1) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act.
The inquiry is set to present its findings on Koh and Amri’s case on April 3. – The Star