Latest news with #RafiqueRashidAli
Free Malaysia Today
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Over 300 people rally in Shah Alam, call for Anwar to resign
A few hundred people gathered at the Section 9 parking lot in Shah Alam today, in a protest against the government and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. SHAH ALAM : Over 300 people participated in a protest rally here today, calling for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to resign. The protest at the Section 9 parking lot was held to voice concerns over several issues the group claims are affecting the people, including the rising cost of living and the expansion of the sales and service tax (SST) since July 1. The participants began gathering at 8am under police supervision, holding banners and placards with the words 'Turun Anwar' (Anwar step down), 'Rakyat Susah' (the people are struggling), and 'Rakyat Terbeban' (the people are burdened). Among those present were Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali, PAS Youth deputy chief Hanif Jamaluddin, Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar, Kelantan PAS Youth chief Kamal Mohamad, former PKR leader Ezam Nor, and Malaysian Islamic Students Coalition (Gamis) president Azamuddin Sahar. Speaking to the media, Hanif said today's programme was just a small protest to raise awareness for the planned major rally at Dataran Merdeka on July 26. He said several NGOs and other political leaders are expected to attend the major rally, including former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. Meanwhile, Ezam claimed that the people are disappointed with Anwar's leadership, as he had failed to fulfil the promises made when he was still in the opposition. 'Before, he made bold promises on lowering fuel prices. Now that he's in power, he hasn't done it. 'We are not here to fight the authorities, nor are we here to fight the police. We just want to make our voices heard to the government,' he said. 'Before, it was only the common people who were angry, now even the rich are upset. All of them have been subject to (various) taxes.'
Free Malaysia Today
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Court to decide on blogger's sedition case on Sept 24
Blogger Wan Azri Wan Deris, also known as Papagomo, faces two sedition charges over remarks made on social media. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The sessions court has fixed Sept 24 to deliver its decision in the sedition trial of blogger Wan Azri Wan Deris, also known as Papagomo, over a statement involving the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Wan Azri's lawyer, Rafique Rashid Ali, said the court fixed the date on Tuesday after the prosecution closed its case. Seven witnesses were called to testify. Wan Azri, 41, is accused of making the statement in a post on X, under the account sir_azri, at a condominium in Bukit Bintang at 12pm on April 29. If convicted under the Sedition Act, he faces a maximum fine of RM5,000, up to three years in prison, or both. The court is also expected to rule on July 9 in a separate sedition case involving Wan Azri. In that case, he is accused of claiming in a Facebook video on Nov 8, 2023 that the government is 'pro-Israel and pro-Western nations'.
Free Malaysia Today
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Yusoff Rawther wants Anwar's reference appeal heard on July 21
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is appealing the High Court's refusal to refer eight legal questions to the Federal Court for determination arising from a civil suit brought by former research assistant Yusoff Rawther. PUTRAJAYA : Lawyers for former research assistant Yusoff Rawther have requested that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's appeal, seeking to refer several legal and constitutional questions to the Federal Court, be expedited and fixed for hearing on July 21. In a letter to Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, the Law Practice of Rafique said the appeal records were complete, as the High Court had issued its written grounds for dismissing Anwar's application. 'A case management can be held earlier so that the appeal can be heard and disposed of on July 21,' the letter sighted by FMT read. The lawyers said the appeal was limited to questions of law as there are no facts in dispute. On June 10, a three-member Court of Appeal bench allowed Anwar an ad interim stay of a civil suit brought by Yusoff against him, and fixed July 21 for the full hearing of the stay application. The appeals court also fixed the appeal proper for case management on Sept 2. Rafique Rashid Ali, who is representing Yusoff, confirmed the matter. As a result of the ad interim stay, the trial of the suit, scheduled to begin on June 16 before Justice Roz Mawar Rozian, was vacated. Roz Mawar had on June 4 dismissed Anwar's reference application, ruling that none of the eight questions posed had succeeded in crossing the threshold set out in Section 84 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. In her 21-page judgment, she held that the application was misconceived on jurisdictional grounds and rested on speculative doctrines which lacked a constitutional basis. Anwar wants the apex court to rule on whether Articles 5(1), 8(1), 39, 40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution grant him qualified immunity from the suit filed by Yusoff four years ago. The suit relates to events which allegedly took place before Anwar took office on Nov 24, 2022. Yusoff, a grandson of the late Penang consumer advocate SM Mohamed Idris, claims he was assaulted at Anwar's home in Segambut in October 2018. He is seeking general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court. Anwar denies the claim and has filed a countersuit.
Free Malaysia Today
13-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Yusoff's lawyers give IGP 7 days to provide update on September report
Yusoff Rawther, who was held in remand for nine months, was acquitted of drug trafficking and the possession of two fake pistols yesterday. PETALING JAYA : Former research assistant Yusoff Rawther has given the police seven days to provide an update on a report he lodged last year in which he claimed he had been framed, failing which he said they would face legal action. In a letter addressed to Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain, Law Practice of Rafique, representing Yusoff, demanded updates on the report as well as the steps taken to investigate the matter. 'We await a response from you within seven days from today. 'Should there be no reply, or should the response fail to adequately address the issues raised herein, we reserve our client's right to pursue further legal action,' the letter said. Yusoff, who was held in remand for nine months, was acquitted of drug trafficking and the possession of two fake pistols yesterday. His defence was that the drugs and pistols were planted to frame him. After his acquittal by the High Court, his lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali called on the police to provide updates on the report his client had filed in September 2024. Rafique had publicly called for an update from the authorities as early as November last year. In his report, Yusoff claimed that he had been framed and provided a list of individuals allegedly involved in setting him up. In acquitting Yusoff, Justice Jamil Hussin ruled that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case on both charges, citing a lack of credible evidence to prove all elements of the offences. The judge also said that two investigating officers of the case failed to investigate Yusoff's claim, made to the recording officer during detention, that he was a victim of entrapment by a certain individual. He said the police officers had ample time to verify his statement but did not do so, adding that this had prejudiced the accused.
Malay Mail
13-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Acquitted ex-aide Yusoff Rawther gives police seven days to respond over ‘framing' claim, warns of legal action
KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Former research assistant Muhammad Yusoff Rawther has given the Inspector-General Of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain seven days to respond to a report he lodged last year claiming he was framed, warning of legal action if there is no update. Through a letter issued by the Law Practice of Rafique, Yusoff's legal team demanded that police explain the steps taken to investigate his September 2024 report, which named individuals he alleged were involved in a plot against him, according to a report published today in Free Malaysia Today. 'We await a response from you within seven days from today. Should there be no reply, or should the response fail to adequately address the issues raised herein, we reserve our client's right to pursue further legal action,' the letter read. Yusoff was acquitted yesterday by the High Court of drug trafficking and possession of two imitation pistols, having spent nine months in remand. His lawyer, Rafique Rashid Ali, reiterated that the drugs and weapons were planted and called on police to provide updates on the investigation into his client's allegations. Justice Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin ruled the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case, citing a lack of credible evidence and failure to prove the key elements of the charges. The judge also criticised two investigating officers for failing to act on Yusoff's claim, made during detention, that he had been framed, saying they had ample time to verify the statement but did not, which had prejudiced the defence. Yusoff's lawyer had first requested updates from authorities as early as November last year, following the initial report.
