Manchester: Interpol Manchester is currently tracing the whereabouts of former research assistant Muhammed Yusoff Rawther in the United Kingdom to facilitate service of the prosecution's notice of appeal, the Court of Appeal was told today. Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Asnawi Abu Hanipah disclosed that a request notice had been sent to Interpol on July 22, which subsequently sought additional information.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Interpol Manchester is in the process of gathering information regarding Yusoff's whereabouts. However, as of now, his location remains unconfirmed, and attempts to serve the notice of appeal have not succeeded. Mohd Asnawi requested that the court set a mention date in two months during proceedings before a three-judge panel comprising Datuk Azman Abdullah, Datuk Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz, and K. Muniandy.
Mohd Asnawi also highlighted the necessity to physically serve the notice of appeal on Yusoff under Section 314 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC). The prosecution is appealing against the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision last year to acquit Yusoff of charges involving the trafficking of cannabis and possession of two imitation pistols, without requiring his defence at the close of the case.
Earlier, Mohd Asnawi mentioned that Yusoff's counsel had informed the court of his readiness to attend the appeal hearing online via Zoom. However, Judge Azman emphasized the need for Yusoff's physical presence due to the criminal nature of the proceedings. 'If we grant this privilege in this case (attending via Zoom), what about other cases? We need the respondent's presence should the court decide to order him to enter his defence or otherwise,' he explained.
Meanwhile, lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, representing Yusoff, stated that his client, who has been in the UK since June last year seeking asylum on human rights grounds, was prepared to proceed with the appeal hearing via Zoom. The court subsequently fixed Nov 4 for mention.
On June 12, 2025, High Court Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin acquitted Yusoff, 33, after determining that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him. The court found that the prosecution had not proven Yusoff's control, custody, or possession of the two pistols and the drugs in question based on witness testimony.
Yusoff was charged with trafficking 305 grammes of cannabis in the vehicle he was travelling in, in front of the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) surau on Sept 6, 2024. The charge was framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which is punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act, providing for life imprisonment and whipping of not less than 12 strokes upon conviction.
Additionally, he was charged with possessing two imitation pistols by the roadside near a condominium on Jalan Bukit Kiara at 9.25 am on the same date. This charge, framed under Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960, carries a maximum penalty of one year's imprisonment or a fine of up to RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.