Man in legal tussle with PM remanded for alleged guns, drug possession

Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, who has an ongoing sexual assault suit against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has been remanded for alleged firearms and drug possession.

According to his lawyer Rafique Rashid, the Kuala Lumpur police detained the former aide to Anwar at around 9.30am on Sept 6.

"Police reportedly found two guns and 305g of drugs, believed to be ganja (marijuana) in a vehicle he was in.

"Yusoff (above) has been in remand since Sept 6," Rafique said in a statement today, adding that his client is under remand to facilitate investigations under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 after the initial remand application under the Arms Act 1960 was rejected.

"Yusoff told the investigators that the firearms and the drugs were not his and that he had nothing to do with the prohibited substances. His urine test is also negative," Rafique noted.

Rafique added that Yusoff told the police that the guns and drugs were planted in his car by parties who hold a grudge or enmity with him.

"He has named those believed responsible and their ties to the country's political leadership.

"Yusoff has written a letter to seek permission to lodge a police report on the matter, and this is best done as soon as possible to prevent it being labelled as an ‘afterthought’ or imaginary," said Rafique.

Worried about safety

Rafique added that his client is extremely worried about his safety, especially when his "sensitive" civil suits with "influential persons" are still ongoing.

"Yusoff's family is firmly behind him and we hope the police will professionally conduct their duty. Yusoff's remand period ends tomorrow, and further updates will be provided as they come, said Rafique.

Last May 7, The Kuala Lumpur High Court denied Yusuff’s application to compel the police to disclose the results of a polygraph test he took in December 2019.

The former research assistant came into the limelight on Dec 4, 2019, during a press conference where he revealed his statutory declaration containing the sexual assault allegation against Anwar.

On Dec 17, 2019, the plaintiff went to Bukit Aman to undergo a polygraph test over a police probe into his sexual misconduct claims against Anwar.

Later in 2021, Yusoff filed a civil action over the allegation 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 a lack of evidence to charge Anwar in the criminal courts over the allegation.

Yusoff then filed a civil suit against Anwar at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Yusoff denied polygraph results in sex assault suit against Anwar

Yusoff withdraws appeal to remove parts of Anwar’s defence in suit

Sexual assault suit: Court orders Yusoff to disclose messages to Anwar

Sexual assault claim: Yusoff Rawther files appeal