Joint Trial For Yusoff Rawther S Drug Trafficking Replica Gun Cases

---

The Kuala Lumpur High Court has directed a joint trial of the cannabis trafficking and replica pistol possession cases against a former aide of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
ADSJudge Jamil Hussin this morning allowed deputy public prosecutor Sabri Othman’s joint-trial bid of accused Yusoff Rawther.
The accused’s defence counsel Rafique Rashid Ali raised no objection against the bid. The criminal court then set April 7 to 11 for a full trial of both cases.
The prosecutor had sought the joint trial as it involved the same set of witnesses allegedly discovering the fake replica pistols and drugs in Yusoff’s car.
Incidentally, Yusoff has a separate civil suit against Anwar over the allegation the Harapan chairperson sexually assaulted the former.
Charges
The drug charge against Yusoff is over the alleged trafficking of 305g of cannabis in front of the Kuala Lumpur contingent police headquarters surau, around 10.15am on Sept 6 last year.
The charge is framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and 12 strokes of the cane.
The other criminal charge against Yusoff is over the alleged possession of two replica pistols purportedly found in his possession near the Sanada Kiara condominium at Jalan Bukit Kiara at 9.25am on Sept 6.
The charge is framed under Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960, and he could be jailed for a year, fined a maximum of RM5,000, or both.
Yusoff claimed trial before two separate Kuala Lumpur magistrate’s courts last year before both cases were separately transferred to the High Court.
Rafique last year claimed Yusoff’s detention by the police prior to being charged in court was tied to politically linked individuals planting evidence.
Incidentally, Yusoff also last year filed a separate court bid to declare Section 41B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which prevented him from being granted bail, as unconstitutional.
The former research assistant came into the limelight on Dec 4, 2019, when he claimed in a statutory declaration that Anwar had sexually assaulted him at the PKR president’s office in October 2018.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers announced on Jan 14, 2020, that there was no evidence to charge Anwar in the criminal courts over the matter.
Later, in 2021, Yusoff filed a civil action against Anwar at the Kuala Lumpur High Court over the allegation. - Mkini

---