On March 4, Susanna Liew, wife of Malaysian pastor Raymond Koh abducted in 2017, was honored with the U.S. State Department's International Women of Courage Award.
Liew was among the 12 women honored by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and first lady Melania Trump for fighting on behalf of religious minorities who have disappeared under similar circumstances as her husband and those facing persecution for their religious beliefs in Malaysia.
The International Women of Courage Award has been given out by the secretary of state for 14 years, and it recognizes women who demonstrate exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment, often at great personal risk and sacrifice.
Pastor Koh along with his wife founded a nonprofit to serve the poor and underprivileged. But he was abducted near their home in West Malaysia on February 13, 2017, when three black SUVs surrounded him in his car.
Though the abduction was captured on surveillance cameras neither Koh nor his car was found.
Liew pressed for answers surrounding the disappearance of her husband and is still calling on the government to investigate the case and hold those responsible accountable.
A State Department press release explained that Liew "continues to advocate for her husband and others not because of her faith or theirs, but because of their rights as Malaysians."
