Lawyer calls PKR Youth members' bluff in linking Yusoff to Mossad

Summary

• Yusoff Rawther’s lawyer tells PKR Youth members to stop pretending to be NGOs in their attack against Anwar Ibrahim’s former aide by insinuating that he was an Israeli sympathiser.

• Rafique Rashid Ali points out that the person leading the NGOs in their police report against Yusoff yesterday was a PKR Youth executive council member.

The lawyer representing Yusoff Rawther has taken a swipe at PKR Youth members allegedly “masquerading as NGOs” after a police report was lodged against the former research assistant to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

This was following a group of NGOs lodging a police report accusing Yusoff of having links to the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad.

Yusoff’s lawyer, Rafique Rashid Ali, pointed out that Dzul Hilmi Zainol, who led the group under the banner of Nadi Gemilang Amal, is in fact a PKR Youth exco member.

“It is hoped that PKR Youth members masquerading as NGOs will stop playing politics. The public is fed up,” he told Malaysiakini.

Rafique questioned the motives behind dredging up a 2017 statement allegedly made by Yusoff expressing support for Israel and rejecting Arab claims over Baitulmaqdis (Jerusalem).

“If Yusoff was truly linked to Mossad, why did Anwar hire him in 2018?” he asked.

The lawyer also acknowledged the right of any individual or group to lodge a police report, but urged the authorities to also investigate a report filed by Yusoff himself on Sept 12, 2024, which named Anwar and his former aide Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.

In that report, Yusoff denied any involvement in drug-related or imitation firearm offences, for which he was later charged, and claimed that he was entrapped.

‘What about Anwar?’

On June 12, the Kuala Lumpur High Court acquitted Yusoff of trafficking drugs and possessing two imitation pistols. The Attorney-General’s Chambers has since filed an appeal.

Rafique also questioned PKR Youth’s apparent silence when Anwar was criticised for answering “yes” to both questions posed by CNN anchor Richard Quest on whether Israel had the right to exist and defend itself.

At the time, Anwar clarified in Parliament that his response was framed in the context of Israel’s de facto United Nations membership and did not reflect any shift in Malaysia’s stance of non-recognition.

“Where was PKR Youth then? Was Israel not ‘enough’ of an issue at the time?” asked Rafique.

“Finally, stop diverting attention or creating narratives. What matters is: who planted drugs and a gun in Yusoff’s car?” he added.

The report led by Dzul was based on Yusoff’s purported 2017 pro-Israel remarks, which the group claimed were still accessible on an international Israeli news portal and contradicted Malaysia’s foreign policy stance.

NGOs urge cops to probe Yusoff over 'Mossad agent' claims

AGC files appeal against Yusoff's acquittal

PAS Youth rebrands July 26 rally as anti-Anwar protest

COMMENT | If you seek revenge, you're not ready to lead

PAS slammed for double standards in call for Anwar to step aside

COMMENT | Yusoff and Mkini: A political drama disguised as justice