Lawyer: What Yusoff wants is justice for himself by way of the law

Muhammad Yusoff Rawther, who accused PKR president Anwar Ibrahim of committing sexual misconduct against him, spent almost eight hours having his statement recorded at Bukit Aman federal police headquarters today.

Yusoff (above, right), 26, who arrived at Bukit Aman around 1pm, left the premise with his lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla (above, left) at around 9pm.

When met later, Yusoff ticked off his grand-uncle who claimed he has been manipulated by politicians, and warned outsiders to not interfere with his matter.

"My family is strong. This grand-uncle is somebody I meet once a year during Hari Raya. All of a sudden, he's an expert on my life. It's surprising.

"My family has come out with a statement, I leave it at that. People not part of my family, (please) don't get involved," he told the media.

Meanwhile, Haniff said Yusoff had his statement recorded after filing a report over the allegation on Saturday.

"What he wants is justice for himself and the police are investigating it. Of course, if what Yusoff said is true and alleged that it did happen, then the police will take appropriate action by recommending whatever is supposed to be recommended for the Attorney-General's Office to take further action.

"On the other hand, Yusoff is not a young boy. He understands that if he is coming out with a lie, he will pay the price.

"Yet, he has taken the stance to lodge the report, or rather to make the SD, and he came today to cooperate with the police by giving a statement as to what happened," Haniff said.

He added that police have opened an investigation paper under Section 354 of the Penal Code for assault or use of criminal force to a person with the intent to outrage modesty.

"At this juncture, police are looking at all provisions. They are starting with Section 354. Let the police do a fair and just investigation. Let them come out with a just conclusion.

"What he (Yusoff) wants is justice by way of the law."

Asked on the timing of Yusoff's (below) statutory declaration which was released a day before the PKR national congress kicked off, and whether the move was politically motivated as alleged by certain quarters, Haniff declined to comment.

"With regard to coming here and whatnot, part and parcel of the statement today, Yusoff already explained in length..as far as it is concerned, I am not at liberty to divulge this to the public."

He said that so far, there's no threat to the safety of Yusoff's family.

"I believe that on Dec 6, Yusoff's father had issued a statement. From there, we could see there are parties who are trying to take advantage.

"So far until today, there is no disturbance or threats (towards the family), but we need to be cautious," he said.

Earlier today, Anwar's lawyer Ramkarpal Singh, who was at Bukit Aman for another matter, said his team was unable to serve a notice of demand on Yusoff.

“We were instructed (by Anwar) to issue a notice of demand, which we did.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to serve it at his Penang address. The address that he stated in his purported SD. But the letter was returned to my office with the note that he doesn't reside there.

“We will send the notice once we get his official address. If he has a lawyer, the other alternative is to pass it to his lawyer,” he added.

On Dec 4, a day before the PKR annual national delegates' congress kicked off, Yusoff held a press conference claiming he was the victim of indecent exposure, molest, and a lewd proposal.

In a statutory declaration dated Nov 19, Yusoff alleged that the incident happened at the Port Dickson MP's residence in Segambut on Oct 2, 2018.

He alleged that the purported incident took place on the fourth day of the Port Dickson by-election campaign. Anwar was then the Pakatan Harapan candidate and eventual winner of the by-election.

Subsequently, on Saturday, Yusoff, who worked as a research officer for Anwar, had filed a police report on the alleged incident. - Mkini