JUNE 15: HEARING OF PROSECUTION’S APPEAL AGAINST YUSOFF RAWTHER'S ACQUITTAL ON FIREARM, DRUG CHARGES

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The Court of Appeal has set June 15 to hear the prosecution’s appeal against a High Court’s decision to acquit and discharge Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, a former research assistant to a politician, on charges of trafficking cannabis and possessing two imitation firearms.

Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali confirmed to Bernama the hearing date, which was during the case management before the Court of Appeal deputy registrar Mahyudin Mohmad Som today.

He said the public prosecutor has been instructed to file their petition of appeal by Feb 9, and for parties to file their written submissions by May 15 and replies to submissions by May 29. 

On June 12 last year, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur acquitted Muhammed Yusoff, 33, after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him at the end of its case.

The prosecution subsequently filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Muhammed Yusoff was charged in the Magistrates’ Court on Sept 12, 2024, with trafficking 305 grammes of cannabis, allegedly found in a vehicle in front of the surau at the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters at 10.15 am on Sept 6, 2024.

The charge was brought under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act, which carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment and a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

He was also charged under Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960 for allegedly possessing two imitation pistols by the roadside near a condominium along Jalan Bukit Kiara at about 9.25 am the same day.

-- BERNAMA