Susanna Liew
{{Short description|Malaysian school principal}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Susanna Liew
| image = 4 March 2020 Susanna Liew (cropped).jpg
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| known_for = Protester at her husband's abduction in Malaysia
| education =
| employer = Hope Community
| occupation = School principal
| spouse = Pastor Raymond Koh
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| nationality = Malaysian
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Susanna Liew is married to Raymond Koh, a Christian pastor who was abducted by Malaysian police in 2017. In 2020, she was suing the senior officials for failing to carry out an investigation. She has been recognized by the U.S. Secretary of State as an International Woman of Courage for her stand.
Life
Liew was the principal of a school and her husband, Raymond Koh, was a pastor in Malaysia. In 2004 they started the Hope Community to help the poor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/biographies-of-the-finalists-for-the-2020-international-women-of-courage-awards/|title=Biographies of the Finalists for the 2020 International Women of Courage Awards|website=United States Department of State|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-16}}
In 2017, her husband's car was surrounded by matching cars and what appeared to be a professional team abducted him. Security camera footage shows seven vehicles involved including two motor bikes who effectively closed the road during the 40 seconds of the abduction.{{Cite web|url=https://releaseinternational.org/malaysia-where-is-pastor-raymond-koh/|title=MALAYSIA - Where is Pastor Raymond Koh?|date=2020-02-13|website=Release International|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-16}} He has not been seen since then.
Liew has tenaciously and continually asked Malaysian officials to report to her on their investigations. One senior official has banned his subordinates from talking to the media about the case but he continues to do so. She asks about her husband but also about others of disappeared from religious minorities. Cases she has campaigned for include the disappeared Christian couple Ruth Sitepu and Joshua Hilmy{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/18/ruth-sitepu039s-family-hopes-for-answers-into-couple039s-disappearance-in-suhakam-inquiry|title=Ruth Sitepu's family hopes for answers into couple's disappearance in Suhakam inquiry {{!}} The Star Online|website=www.thestar.com.my|access-date=2020-03-16}} and Amri Che Mat.
In February 2020, she announced that she was suing named senior individuals in Malaysia. The case could not be delayed any further as it was nearly three years since her husband's abduction and after three years the case would be considered too old.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/12/pastor-kohs-wife-sues-igps-others-over-his-enforced-disappearance/1836971|title=Pastor Koh's wife sues IGPs, others over his 'enforced disappearance' {{!}} Malay Mail|last=Chin|first=Emmanuel Santa Maria|website=www.malaymail.com|date=12 February 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}
On 4 March 2020, she was recognized by the U.S. Secretary of State as an International Woman of Courage for her stand against the authorities{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/04/pastor-koh039s-wife-susanna-liew-named-2020-international-woman-of-the-year|title=Pastor Koh's wife Susanna Liew named 2020 International Woman of the Year {{!}} The Star Online|website=www.thestar.com.my|access-date=2020-03-16}} "because of their rights as Malaysians".{{Cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/2020-international-women-of-courage-award/|title=2020 International Women of Courage Award|website=United States Department of State|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-13}}
References
{{Reflist}}
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{{International Women of Courage Awards}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Liew, Susanna}}
Category:Heads of schools in Malaysia
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Recipients of the International Women of Courage Award