ANWAR Ibrahim’s former research assistant, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, was charged today in the Kuala Lumpur magistrates’ court with trafficking in 305g of cannabis.

No plea was recorded after the charge was read out to Yusoff before magistrate M. Arunjothi. 

Yusoff is accused of trafficking in the drugs at a carpark in front of the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters at 10.15am on September 6.

He was charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act.  If found guilty, Yusoff faces life imprisonment and up to 12 strokes of the whip.

He was represented by lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali. Sabri Othman was the deputy public prosecutor.

The court set November 12 for case re-mention, pending reports from the chemistry department.

Yesterday, Rafique said Yusoff was arrested on September 6 after he was found to be in possession of two pistols and more than 300g of marijuana. 

Yusoff has maintained that the pistols and drugs were “planted” by people who have a grudge against him.

In a statement issued later, police confirmed the arrest and stated that the pistols confiscated from Yusoff were fake.

In July 2021, Yusoff filed suit against Anwar, accusing him of sexual assault. He sought special, general, aggravated, and exemplary damages, along with interest, costs, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.

Anwar, in his defence filed in September 2021, said Yusoff had lied under oath regarding the sexual assault. Anwar also filed a counterclaim, accusing Yusoff of fabricating the story to damage his political career and prevent him from becoming prime minister.

On September 9, 2022, the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed Yusoff’s application to strike out parts of Anwar’s defence and counterclaim.

Following his recent arrest, Yusoff told the police that the weapons and drugs were planted in his car by people with a grudge against him. He has provided the names to the people to the police and has asked to file a police report regarding the matter.

“He is also concerned about his safety, as he has ongoing civil cases involving influential individuals,” said Rafique. – September 12, 2024.