We, the undersigned organizations, express our deep concern regarding the unresolved enforced disappearance of Ruth Sitepu, an Indonesian citizen who remained missing in Malaysia, with her last known whereabouts on 30 November 2016. Despite the gravity of this case, justice and truth remain elusive more than nine years later.
In its Final Report of the Public Inquiry released on 15 April 2022, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) concluded that the disappearance of Ruth Sitepu constitutes an enforced disappearance, as defined under Article 2 of the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED). SUHAKAM further found that Malaysian state agents acquiesced in Ruth’s disappearance and that the Royal Malaysia Police failed to acknowledge or adequately investigate the case.
To date, there has been no clarity regarding Ruth Sitepu’s status, condition, or whereabouts. We highlight with deep concern the absence of state responsibility on the part of the Government of Malaysia, and the lack of concrete action from the Government of Indonesia in urging accountability and truth-seeking for one of its own citizens.
Recent developments in Malaysia reinforce the urgency of revisiting Ruth’s case. On 5 November 2025, the High Court of Kuala Lumpur granted two civil lawsuits filed by the families of Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh, who also went missing in 2016 - 2017. The Court ruled that the Government of Malaysia and Malaysian police are accountable for their enforced disappearances, ordering reinvestigation, renewed search efforts, and daily monetary compensation to the victims’ families, consistent with international customary practices, such as those in Chile and Brazil.
Given SUHAKAM’s findings linking the cases of Amri Che Mat, Pastor Raymond Koh, Joshua Hilmy, and Ruth Sitepu, this ruling should serve as a precedent for similar follow-up actions in Ruth’s case. Transitional justice principles demand state-led truth-seeking, particularly where victims’ whereabouts remain unknown.
As an Indonesian citizen, Ruth Sitepu is entitled to the protection of the Indonesian state. The Government of Indonesia bears obligations under:
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Law No. 37/1999 on Foreign Affairs (Articles 18(1) and 21);
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Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs No. 5/2018 on the Protection of Indonesian Citizens Abroad;
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Article 28I(4) of the 1945 Constitution, regarding the protection of citizens’ rights; and
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The passive nationality principle under international jurisdiction.
Despite these obligations, concrete, assertive engagement by Indonesia remains lacking. Ruth's family continues to seek truth and justice. As expressed by Iman Setiawan, Ruth’s younger brother:
“Our family hopes that the Government of Indonesia will seriously engage in the search for our sister, Sister Ruth. Because we still and always hope that we can meet our sister again.”
Therefore, we jointly call for:
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The Government of Malaysia to urgently undertake comprehensive truth-seeking efforts and renewed search operations to determine the whereabouts and fate of Ruth Sitepu;
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The Government of Malaysia to provide appropriate reparations to Ruth Sitepu’s family for the harm suffered due to her enforced disappearance; and
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The Government of Indonesia to take active and sustained measures to press the Government of Malaysia for accountability and the resolution of Ruth Sitepu’s enforced disappearance, in accordance with its duties under domestic law and international jurisdiction.
20 November 2025
Sincerely,
The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Indonesia
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
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KontraS
Komisi Untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan
