KUALA LUMPUR (June 14): Even though the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has asked the public to refrain from speculating about Muhammad Yusoff Rawther's recent acquittal in court, the matter has already seen open discourse since his arrest in September last year, the law firm representing him said.
In a statement, Law Practice of Rafique said freedom of speech is a right of the people, and the public has the right "to question the integrity of the bodies involved in the country’s legal and enforcement systems".
It said this in response to the AGC's statement on Friday suggesting the public "refrain from making speculative or defamatory statements over the verdict, especially if it is outside of the scope of the grounds of the court’s decision".
The AGC, in its statement, also said the prosecution was not influenced by any party and was based on evidence against Yusoff — a former research associate of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — who is in the midst of a civil suit on alleged sexual assault filed by him against the prime minister.
In its response late Friday, Law Practice of Rafique said, "The AGC is a 'law firm' that should act as legal counsel for society and as a guardian of public interest."
"It is undeniable and must be questioned that from the date Yusoff Rawther was arrested until the High Court’s decision yesterday (Thursday, June 12), the AGC never urged or sought any court order to prevent the public from discussing this case," it said.
However, this call only arose after the court found that no prima facie case had been proven, it added.
"In acquitting Yusoff Rawther, among other things, the court noted the failure of two investigating officers to verify Yusoff Rawther’s version that he was the victim of an entrapment by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim," it said.
"The connection between Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and [Anwar's former political secretary] Farhash Wafa Salvador is well-established in the court proceedings record and is no longer merely perception or speculation; it exists in the investigation papers of the Royal Malaysian Police," it added.
The AGC's call on the public, it said, is inappropriate, and "no one can or should act as a barrier" to the people's right to freedom of speech.
"We urge the AGC to continue to be the people’s shield in upholding the rule of law and justice without protecting anyone, not even a prime minister," the firm said.
On Thursday, the High Court acquitted Yusoff of trafficking cannabis and possession of two fake pistols.
Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin said the court is satisfied there is no prima facie case that warranted the 32-year-old’s defence to be called.
The prosecution had failed to prove custody and control over the two, despite the car where the items were found belonging to Yusoff, the verdict found.