Prosecution Fails To Serve Appeal Notice To Yusoff Rawther Currently In UK

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 4  – The prosecution has failed to physically serve a notice of appeal on Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, a former research assistant to a politician who is currently in the United Kingdom, the Court of Appeal was informed on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) How May Ling told a three-member panel chaired by Justice Datuk Azman Abdullah alongside Justices Datuk Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz and K. Muniandy that attempts to serve the notice via Interpol and UK authorities have been unsuccessful.

“The prosecution was informed last month that efforts to locate the respondent (Muhammed Yusoff) had been unsuccessful. The authorities also had no information regarding his asylum application,” DPP How stated during case management proceedings.

The prosecution is appealing against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s June 12, 2025 decision that acquitted and discharged Muhammed Yusoff, 33, of drug trafficking and possession of imitation firearms at the close of the prosecution’s case without calling for his defense.

During the proceedings, DPP How requested a virtual Zoom session to allow Muhammed Yusoff to appear online and confirm his UK location. However, Justice Azman firmly rejected the request, emphasizing that criminal proceedings require physical presence.

“I do not want to make an exception in this case. This is a criminal proceeding, and the respondent must appear physically in court. This court also does not want to set an unnecessary precedent,” Justice Azman ruled, instructing the defense counsel to advise his client to return to Malaysia.

Defense counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali acknowledged the legal requirement for physical service under Section 314 of the Criminal Procedure Code, maintaining that his client is not fleeing justice but is currently seeking political asylum in the UK.

The Court of Appeal set February 3, 2027, for further case management.

Muhammed Yusoff was acquitted in June 2025 by High Court Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin, who ruled that the prosecution failed to establish custody, control, or possession over 305 grams of cannabis found in a vehicle on September 6, 2024, or two imitation pistols seized near a Bukit Kiara condominium on the same day.

Appeal Management, Court Rulings, and Charge Details

Key case management parameters, court directives, and charge details include:

• Next Court Date: Case management set for February 3, 2027.
• Court Panel: Justices Datuk Azman Abdullah, Datuk Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz, and K. Muniandy.
• Virtual Appearance Application: Rejected by Justice Azman; physical court appearance mandated under criminal procedure rules.
• Original High Court Acquittal Date: June 12, 2025 (Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin).
• Charges Appealed: Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (305g cannabis) and Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960 (2 imitation pistols).

–NMT