KUALA LUMPUR: A former aide to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been remanded over alleged possession of weapons and drugs, says his lawyer.
Rafique Rashid Ali said that Muhammed Yusoff Rawther was remanded by police at around 9.30am on Friday (Sept 6).
“Two pistols and drugs suspected to be ganja weighing 305g were allegedly found in the car that my client drove.
“He has been remanded until Thursday (Sept 12)," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 11).
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Rafique said Yusoff was remanded to assist investigations under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, after an initial remand application under firearms laws was rejected.
“Yusoff clearly explained to the investigators that the pistols and drugs were not his and he had no connection with the items.
“Urine test results also came back negative for drugs,” he said.
Rafique said Yusoff had claimed in his statement that the guns and drugs were planted by people with grudges against him.
“Their names were also revealed along with their connection to political leaders. The police were also urged by Yusoff and his lawyer to allow reports to be made on the matter. Related documents have already been sent.
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“The need to lodge a police report is crucial so that Yusoff’s defence can proceed as quickly as possible and not be labelled an afterthought or fabricated,” he added.
In July 2021, Yusoff, who is Anwar's former research assistant, filed a suit against the then opposition leader, claiming that the latter sexually assaulted him.
He had sought, among others, special, general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.
Anwar, in his statement of defence filed on Sept 28, 2021, claimed that Yusoff had lied under oath to the authorities regarding the sexual assault.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa, in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 11), confirmed the arrest of a man in Bukit Kiara after finding two fake guns and a compressed package of ganja inside his car.
"Remand had been granted for six days, starting Sept 7 to Sept 12," he said, without naming the suspect.
