Can Madani backers' hailing of Yusoff Rawther's acquittal as court freedom still exists hold water?

Focus Malaysia

21 hours ago

'THE Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to acquit Yusoff Rawther of charges related to possessing drugs and a replica firearm clearly proves that Malaysia's judicial system operates fairly, independently and transparently.'
Such is the counter argument coming from pro-Madani government influencers after the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday (June 12) acquitted Yusoff who was Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's former research assistant of trafficking cannabis and possession of two fake pistols.
'This case serves as a concrete example of how the principles of rule of law and separation of powers continue to be upheld under the administration of PMX Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,' penned CIKYANie (@lady_bugg11) on X.
This came about as observation pointed to the Madani machinery having mobilised its cybertroopers to rubbish claims of conspiracy and persecution – as per the statement of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin – which led to Yusoff having to spend nine months and 10 days in prison without bail.
Itu kerana dulu mahkamah tidak bebas. Sekarang, mahkamah bebas tanpa campurtangan. Sebab itu, takde mana2 penyokong yang waras terutamanya penyokong Rafizi menggelupor dengan pembebasan penyokong 1Israel ini.
Kalau masih ada campurtangan PMX, penyokong 1Israel ini konfirm ke… https://t.co/a0RyCdYdT2
— Amer Hamzah (@amer7211) June 12, 2025
Additionally, the Opposition has also mooted the idea of suing the police and Home Ministry with such call coming from PAS information chief Fadhli Shaari.
Miscarriage of justice
The case serves as a grim reminder of how power – when unchecked – leads to selective justice, according to former de-facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
'In Malaysia where law, business and politics are deeply intertwined, the abuse of prosecutorial discretion is not a theoretical concern – it's a real and recurring threat to the rule of law,' tweeted the opposition-slant UMNO member in a reaction to Yusoff's acquittal.
'At the heart of this problem is the public prosecutor's virtually unchallengeable discretion. The current legal position where the Attorney General's (AG) decision to prosecute or not prosecute is almost immune from judicial scrutiny is untenable in a modern democracy.'
Based on the KL High Court's judgment, former Bukit Bintang MP and lawyer Wee Choo Keong wondered how the AG could allow the police to charge Yusoff based on insufficient evidence while his appeal for bail was repeatedly denied for nine months.
'Grave injustice inflicted upon Yusoff Rawther! The Madani government must find ways to compensate this innocent young man!' the former DAP lawmaker reacted on X.
'Yusoff's acquittal underscores the need for an in-depth investigation into malpractices by the authorities, transparent accountability and due diligence – especially in high-profile or politically sensitive cases.'
In acquitting Yusoff, Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin has ruled that the two investigating officers failed to investigate Yusoff's claim that he was a victim of entrapment by a certain individual.
'The police officers had ample time to verify his statement but didn't do so,' contended Jamil, adding that this had prejudiced the accused.
Meanwhile, the Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET) calls for the repeal of provisions in law that deny bail given that Yusoff had been held in remand for more than nine months prior to his acquittal.
'The fact that the police didn't investigate is unacceptable, more so when it a crime that carries the death penalty,' lamented the NGO's co-founder Charles Hector.
'In the case of Yusoff as he sued our PM for sexual harassment/abuse, it becomes even more important to identify who ordered or put the drugs in his car.
'As many suspect that the sitting PM may be involved, a thorough investigation would identify the real perpetrators and clear any doubts about Anwar Ibrahim's involvement.' – June 13, 2025
Main image credit: Bernama