Appellate court adjourns Yusoff's fake gun, drug possession hearing to Sept 8
Farah Solhi
Published: Jun 15, 2026 1:31 PM
Updated: 4:58 PM
The Court of Appeal hearing of the appeal against Yusoff Rawther’s acquittal over the possession of imitation guns and cannabis has been adjourned to Sept 8.
This comes after the court today found that the prosecution has yet to serve a proper appeal notice to Yusoff (above).
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Aswani Abu Hanipah informed the three-judge panel that the Attorney-General’s Chambers had tried to track Yusoff, who had fled to the UK, using the authorities.
He added that recent checks with the Immigration Department showed Yusoff, who was Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former researcher, left the country in June last year.
Asnawi also informed the court that they had tried to personally serve the appeal notice to Yusoff two weeks ago, and were informed, via a letter, that the latter had applied for human rights asylum in the UK.
The prosecutor also confirmed that his team has yet to exhaust all avenues to ensure Yusoff received the notice personally.
Meanwhile, Yusoff’s lawyer, Rafique Rashid Ali, told the court that his client has instructed him to proceed with the case.
However, the court decided to adjourn today’s hearing, instructing that the prosecution must personally serve the notice of appeal to Yusoff.
Published: Jun 15, 2026 1:31 PM
Updated: 4:58 PM
The Court of Appeal hearing of the appeal against Yusoff Rawther’s acquittal over the possession of imitation guns and cannabis has been adjourned to Sept 8.
This comes after the court today found that the prosecution has yet to serve a proper appeal notice to Yusoff (above).
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Aswani Abu Hanipah informed the three-judge panel that the Attorney-General’s Chambers had tried to track Yusoff, who had fled to the UK, using the authorities.
He added that recent checks with the Immigration Department showed Yusoff, who was Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former researcher, left the country in June last year.
Asnawi also informed the court that they had tried to personally serve the appeal notice to Yusoff two weeks ago, and were informed, via a letter, that the latter had applied for human rights asylum in the UK.
The prosecutor also confirmed that his team has yet to exhaust all avenues to ensure Yusoff received the notice personally.
Meanwhile, Yusoff’s lawyer, Rafique Rashid Ali, told the court that his client has instructed him to proceed with the case.
However, the court decided to adjourn today’s hearing, instructing that the prosecution must personally serve the notice of appeal to Yusoff.
“Earlier, both the appellant and the respondent agreed that personal service of the appeal notice is an obligation under the law, according to Section 314 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
“We found that the respondent’s knowledge of the matter, and his instruction to his lawyer to proceed via online proceedings or Zoom, is not sufficient.
“Therefore, the court will fix another hearing date to ensure the appellant (AGC) could take reasonable steps to ensure the personal service of the appeal notice is effected,” said judge Azman Abdullah, who led the panel.
Also in the panel were judges Radzi Abdul Hamid and K Muniandy.
Section 314 of the CPC deals with the non-appearance of a respondent in criminal cases.
The court set Sept 8 for case management and for the AGC to update the court on their efforts to personally serve the notice to Yusoff.
‘Personal service must be perfected’
Speaking to the press later, Rafique stressed that personal service must be perfected in criminal cases.
“We received the appeal notice via email on June 1, but the law requires that the notice be personally served to the respondent.
“So, today’s hearing got adjourned and what the AGC must do now is to ensure they personally serve the notice to Yusoff in the next three months.
“If they (AGC) do not succeed, then Section 314(2) can be applied.”
Section 314(2) allows for the appeal to proceed in the respondent’s absence if personal service cannot be effected.
Rafique Rashid Ali
On June 10, Rafique said that Yusoff had applied for human rights asylum in the UK, and would not be returning to Malaysia due to safety reasons.
The counsel also confirmed that Yusoff will not attend the appeal proceedings because his passport was held by the UK authorities pending his application.
Subsequently, the lawyer wrote to the Court of Appeal’s president about the latest development the following day.
In 2024, Yusoff was charged with possession of two imitation guns and trafficking 350g of cannabis.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court acquitted him on June 12 last year of both charges after finding the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
The AGC filed an appeal against the acquittal four days later.
On June 10, Rafique said that Yusoff had applied for human rights asylum in the UK, and would not be returning to Malaysia due to safety reasons.
The counsel also confirmed that Yusoff will not attend the appeal proceedings because his passport was held by the UK authorities pending his application.
Subsequently, the lawyer wrote to the Court of Appeal’s president about the latest development the following day.
In 2024, Yusoff was charged with possession of two imitation guns and trafficking 350g of cannabis.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court acquitted him on June 12 last year of both charges after finding the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
The AGC filed an appeal against the acquittal four days later.
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