Kuala Lumpur: A police officer testified in the High Court today, denying that the specific details provided by an informant regarding weapons allegedly hidden in a dark blue Nissan Teana were part of a plot to entrap Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, a former research assistant to a politician.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sergeant Chong Choon Khen, 46, from the Special Investigation Division (D9) of the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters (IPKKL), made this statement while being cross-examined by defence lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali. The case involves charges of drug trafficking and possession of imitation firearms against Muhammed Yusoff.
During the cross-examination, Muhammad Rafique questioned the legitimacy of the raid, suggesting it was based on specific information from the informant aimed at trapping the accused. However, Chong refuted this claim, maintaining that the intelligence gathered under Ops Laras was not considered ‘specific’ information but rather general intelligence.
Chong clarified that “if the information doesn’t lead to a successful operation, then it’s simply unsuccessful. There’s no classification of specific or non-specific. It is just information.” Earlier, as the seventh prosecution witness, Chong detailed his involvement in Ops Laras, led by Inspector (Intelligence) Wan Muhammad Wan Ali from D9, IPKKL.
He recounted that on September 6, 2024, his team left the D9 IPKKL office around 7 am, arriving at the scene between 7.20 and 7.25 am. Surveillance was based on a briefing by Inspector Wan Muhammad, who instructed them to look out for a dark blue Nissan Teana with the plate number PMH 6391.
Upon arrival, the team observed the vehicle parked near Senada Condominium in Bukit Kiara. After two hours of surveillance, a man approached the car, prompting the team to monitor his actions further. Chong was later instructed by Inspector Wan Muhammad to handcuff the accused after a pistol was discovered inside the vehicle.
When questioned by Muhammad Rafique on why he proceeded with the arrest despite the accused’s claims of innocence regarding the pistol, Chong stated he was following orders from his superior. “I don’t care what the accused says,” he added.
The hearing before Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin continues tomorrow. Muhammed Yusoff is accused of trafficking 305 grammes of cannabis in a vehicle in front of the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters surau at 10.15 am on September 6, 2024.
He faces charges under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries severe penalties, including the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction. Additionally, he is charged with possession of two fake firearms near a condominium on Jalan Bukit Kiara at 9.25 am on the same day. The charge under Section 36(1) of the Firearms Act 1960 provides a maximum penalty of one year in prison or a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.