Access to Yusoff Rawther's car dominates trial as defence cites CID chief on tech-driven auto theft

The drugs and firearms trial of Muhammed Yusoff Rawther today heard about how the theft of vehicles with keyless technology is done using tactics to bypass the security system, a day after the car belonging to the former staff of Anwar Ibrahim was brought to the Kuala Lumpur High Court to better understand how the police ambushed him last year.

Despite the prosecution's objection, judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin allowed a news article quoting Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain to be relayed to the prosecution witness during questioning by defence lawyer Rafique Rashid.

"I put it that this case was planted by messing with the frequency of the door lock. We have newspaper clippings to show this," Rafique said in explaining why the report was used as a reference.

Rafique said the technology to jam the frequency of a remote key is widely available.

"The jammer can block the frequency of any car, disguise itself as a key and 'play' with the frequency until the vehicle can be unlocked," he said.

In the report, Suhaily is quoted about the loss of more than 10,000 vehicles to automobile thefts, as well as a criminal syndicate that has found ways to hack "keyless" security systems by bypassing the original remote key.

Rafique said the question of how police managed to gain access to Yusoff's Nissan Teana, and who unlocked the door remains to be determined.

Meanwhile, police officer Chong Choon Khen, the seventh prosecution witness since the trial began on Monday, denied that it was he who unlocked the car, disputing Yusoff's statement to police.

Chong, from the D9 Special Investigation Division at the Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police Headquarters, was the one who took Yusoff to the passenger door, where the door was opened manually.

Chong had handcuffed Yusoff on the day of the arrest last September after police said they discovered a bag containing two imitation pistols on the front passenger side of the vehicle.

Rafique: The other officers tried to open the door twice, when the remote was pressed and when the key was inserted?

Chong: I disagree.

Rafique: Apart from the defendant's attempt to unlock the driver's door, there were police officers who tried to open the other three doors - two on the back and one on the passenger side - but failed?

Chong: I disagree.

Chong said Yusoff did not resist or resort to violence during the police raid.

Prosecution's request to postpone trial

Meanwhile, the prosecution applied for a postponement of the hearing as two investigating officers had not yet given their witness statements. The judge, however, denied the request.

The trial continues tomorrow, April 11.

Yusoff, 32, is facing charges under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 36 of the Firearms Act.

Yusoff, the grandson of the late Penang consumer advocate SM Mohamed Idris, has maintained that he was framed by people in power who harbour a grudge against him due to his ongoing civil suit for sexual assault against Anwar.

His family members have recounted how Yusoff was restrained while police searched the car and claimed to have found two pistols and 305g of cannabis.

He has also filed two police reports with names of people to be investigated, including Farhash Wafa Salvador, Anwar's former political secretary. Police have yet to comment on the status of the reports.

Yusoff's arrest on Sept 6 last year took place week after he submitted the list of witnesses for his suit against Anwar.

Yusoff worked as Anwar's research assistant at the politician's bungalow office in Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya in 2018.

In 2021, he filed a lawsuit alleging that the PKR leader sexually assaulted him in October 2018, just days before he won the Port Dickson by-election.

Anwar has denied the allegations.

In July 2021, Yusoff filed his civil suit against Anwar, with the trial fixed on June 16.