Human rights in Malaysia A Malaysian high court rules that police and the government are responsible for the enforced disappearances of activist Amri Che Mat and pastor...

The wives of a missing Malaysian Christian pastor and a Muslim activist have won a landmark lawsuit after a court ruled that the government and police were responsible for the men's enforced disappearance years ago.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia () — The wives of a missing Malaysian Christian pastor and a Muslim activist, both abducted years ago in cases that drew international concern, won a landmark lawsuit after a court ruled the government and police were responsible for the men’s enforced disappearances.

The High Court on Wednesday found state involvement in the disappearances of both men and ordered police to reopen investigations into the cases.

The decision marked the first judicial recognition in the case of enforced disappearance by Malaysian authorities, who have denied involvement.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers said Thursday it would appeal the court’s ruling in both cases.

Pastor Raymond Koh was seized by a group of masked men in a swift, military-style operation in broad daylight on Feb.

13, 2017 in central Selangor state, in an incident that was captured on CCTV.

His family said Koh had received death threats and was under investigation for allegedly proselytizing to Muslims before he vanished.

Months earlier, Muslim activist Amri Che Mat disappeared under similar circumstances after leaving home in November 2016.

Amri had been under watch by religious authorities for allegedly spreading Shiite teachings, a practice that is banned in Malaysia, which recognizes only the Sunni branch of Islam.

In addition to Koh, Muslims-turned-Christian preachers Joshua Hilmi and his wife Ruth Hilmi disappeared mysteriously six days after Amri in 2016.

The disappearances raised fears of religious vigilantism at the time in the predominantly Muslim nation.

The court on Wednesday awarded more than 30 million ringgit ($7.2 million) in damages to Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, and 3 million ringgit ($717,000) to Amri’s wife, Noorhayati Mohamad Ariffin.

Liew, who has long campaigned for justice and accountability in the case, called the ruling a “historic and emotional milestone” for the family.

The political importance lies in whether the issue moves from public comment into formal action, party response, court record, election authority notice or administrative decision.

For public institutions and political groups, the next test is whether the issue remains a public argument or turns into a formal response, legal proceeding, administrative instruction or election-related communication.