Anwar allowed interim stay, June 16 civil suit vacated
Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025
By: V Anbalagan Text Size: The Court of Appeal said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had shown special circumstances justifying the grant of a stay of the trial. PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has granted Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim an ad-interim stay of a civil suit brought by a former research assistant over an alleged assault. The temporary stay is pending a full hearing of the prime minister's application, which will take place on July 21.
Advertisement A three-member bench chaired by Justice Supang Lian said Anwar had shown special circumstances to justify the grant of the application. 'We are of the considered view that under Section 44 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, we are empowered to make an ad-interim order to preserve the integrity of the appellant's (Anwar) stay. 'Accordingly, the trial in the High Court will be stayed pending the disposal of the stay application,' said Supang. Also on the panel hearing the application were Justices Faizah Jamaludin and Ahmad Fairuz Zainol Abidin. The bench also clarified that parties need not exchange witness statements on Friday (June 13) as directed by High Court judge Roz Mawar Rozain last week, given today's decision. The trial of the suit was scheduled to take place before Roz Mawar over seven days between June 16 and June 25 after she dismissed Anwar's reference application on grounds that none of the questions posed succeeded in crossing the threshold set out in Section 84 of the Courts of Judicature Act. In her 21-page judgment, she said the application was misconceived as to the jurisdiction of the courts, and was based on speculative doctrines with no constitutional footing. The prime minister wanted 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 Rawther four years ago. The suit filed by Yusoff relates to events which allegedly took place before Anwar took office on Nov 24, 2022. Anwar is appealing to the Court of Appeal against Roz Mawar's refusal to refer eight legal questions arising from the suit to the Federal Court for determination. He is seeking a stay of all proceedings pending the disposal of the appeal. 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. Today, before the bench, lawyer Alan Wong, appearing for Anwar, said the appeal against Roz Mawar's decision would be rendered academic and nugatory if the interim stay was disallowed. 'There is no prejudice to the plaintiff if the trial is suspended. He can be compensated in the event that the plaintiff proves his case,' he added. He said the seven-day trial would also disrupt and cause irreversible harm to the prime minister's executive function. 'It is not an ordinary suit but one laced with political motive,' he added. Counsel Rafique Rashid Ali submitted that the appeal on the reference questions was doomed to fail as they were rhetorical and had no basis in Malaysian jurisprudence. He also said the defendant knew the trial dates as they were fixed on June 6 last year. 'Yet he filed the reference application 23 days before the trial was to start through his new solicitors,' Rafique said, adding that his client should have his day in court as the suit was filed in 2021. Lawyers Shahir Tahir, K Rajasegaran, and SM Kavyaasrini also appeared for Anwar while Nurmustanir Nor and Amirul Ar-Rashid Azman acted for Yusoff. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Prime Minister praises Hajiji's Blue Economy initiative
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor attend the launch of the 2025 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) in Kota Kinabalu August 3, 2025, accompanied by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. — Bernama pic Kota Kinabalu: PM Anwar lauded Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's Blue Economy initiative which has been incorporated into the 13th Malaysia Plan. 'For the past two years, especially last year, Hajiji repeatedly mentioned the Blue Economy to me,' Anwar said at the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day closing ceremony at Sabah International Convention Centre, Sunday. 'I know about the Blue Economy, but I see that Sabah is so committed and we have embraced this thinking and found ways to collaborate between the Federal and State governments because this creates strength,' he said, praising Hajiji's forward-thinking leadership in championing sustainable economic development. The Blue Economy concept encompasses various sectors including fisheries, agriculture, solar energy and green energy from sea, land and air. Anwar credited Hajiji for driving this transformative approach which has now gained national recognition and adoption. He also pointed out the importance of unity and cooperation between Federal and State for Malaysia's progress. 'To make our country successful, let us work together. If we want to elevate dignity, for the sake of Sabah and all of Malaysia's states, let us cooperate, give way and jointly raise our country's interests,' he said. Anwar also spoke about how this collaborative approach has already yielded results in agricultural production and pointed out Malaysia's unexpected success in producing onions, chili and most recently, avocados that were previously heavily imported. 'Who would have thought that Malaysia, through Sabah's fertile land and State Government cooperation, could produce avocados, a fruit that attracts attention and has high demand and now the results are effective,' he said. He noted that Malaysia's import bill for agricultural products had reached over RM50 billion, making domestic production initiatives even more important for the nation's food security and economic stability. 'The success in producing previously imported crops demonstrates what can be achieved through focused cooperation between various agencies including Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, the Department of Agriculture and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority,' he said. He said the current Federal Government operates under strict principles of service rather than exploitation. 'The current Federal Government leadership has set conditions whereby we cannot take interests, whether land, timber or shares from the states. We come to serve the states. There are no conflicts between the Federal and State governments,' he said. He also noted that farmers, breeders and fishermen form the core majority of Malaysia's population and require a peaceful nation, stable government and complete cooperation between federal and state levels. 'States cannot work separately. The Federal government cannot work separately. The better our cooperation, the better it is for the people.' He expressed confidence that the Blue Economy approach, born from Sabah's initiative but now adopted nationally, will serve as a model for sustainable development across Malaysia. He credited this shift to the focused attention and close cooperation between government levels, setting a new paradigm for how federal-state partnerships can drive meaningful economic transformation. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
What past Prime Ministers didn't do
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Anwar said the Federal Government is committed to protecting Sabah's territorial rights, noting that allegations in Parliament suggest that Malaysia had already conceded territory. Kota Kinabalu: Anwar said unlike previous Prime Ministers, he included Sabah in discussions regarding the Sulawesi Sea (Ambalat) issue. 'Previously, did the Prime Minster call state representatives to discuss together in international negotiations? 'We in the Madani Government do this (call everyone into the discussion) because to decide on borders, we must involve the state governments, including the Sabah State Government,' he said, referring to recent meetings with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto which was attended by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari. Anwar said the Federal Government is committed to protecting Sabah's territorial rights, noting that allegations in Parliament suggest that Malaysia had already conceded territory. He said President Prabowo is both a personal and family friend. We discussed the Sulawesi Sea issue and I informed in front of Hajiji that we need to discuss parameters according to law, according to UNCLOS 1982, according to historical antecedents and must be agreed upon by the Sabah Government and ultimately the State Legislative Assembly,' Anwar said, pointing out these were official meeting minutes, not mere speculation. 'I want to defend this principle. We will defend the rights of Sabah. We will not allow even one inch of sea or land to be encroached upon by anyone or claimed by anyone,' he said. He noted the ongoing legal battles, including the case at the Spanish courts against Sulu claimants, where Malaysia continues to fight to protect Sabah's rights as an integral part of the federation. Regarding potential joint ventures between Petronas and Indonesia's Pertamina for seabed exploration, Anwar said this would only apply to areas where oil reserves cross both countries' boundaries beneath the seabed. He drew parallels to existing Joint Development Authorities with Vietnam and Thailand, pointing out that any agreements would be subject to further negotiations. 'Even if we extract oil from Sabah's land, the oil underneath spreads to Indonesian territory. 'That is why such cooperation must exist,' he said, dismissing attacks on this position as misguided. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Anwar on Trump's call
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: 'President Trump called me at 6.50am on Monday and the first thing he said was 'Prime Minister Anwar, fantastic job. Thank you for helping to resolve this conflict',' Anwar said. Kota Kinabalu: PM Anwar spoke of Malaysia's growing international reputation in the wake of the nation's recent diplomatic success in mediating the border skirmish between Cambodia and Thailand. He said Prime Ministers agreed to hold talks in Kuala Lumpur after extensive diplomatic efforts involving multiple phone calls with world leaders including President Trump and China's President Xi Jinping. 'President Trump called me at 6.50am on Monday and the first thing he said was 'Prime Minister Anwar, fantastic job. Thank you for helping to resolve this conflict',' Anwar said. He also spoke about Malaysia's trade negotiations with the United States, particularly regarding tariffs that could impact the country's significant electronics and semiconductor exports worth RM200 billion annually. He said Malaysia successfully negotiated a reduction in tariffs from 25 per cent to 19 per cent, while maintaining firm positions on key issues including the Bumiputera Economic Policy and halal certification standards. 'I told Trump we are a trading nation, we believe in free trade. I do not act like some people saying 'Dear Mr President, I am sorry'. No, no. I represent Malaysia. 'The Malaysian people are proud, independent and sovereign and do not bow to anyone,' Anwar said. He also spoke about Malaysia Airlines' recent aircraft purchase agreements, including 30 Boeing aircraft from the United States and several Airbus planes from France, noting how these commercial deals support Malaysia's negotiating position in trade discussions. Addressing agricultural development specifically, Anwar said the government's focus is on fertile land utilisation and the Blue Economy concept under the 13th Malaysia Plan. He noted that 28 Farmers' Area Organisations currently oversee 842 farming units with 64,108 farmer members across the nation. 'Malaysia maintains its principled foreign policy stance, including our position on humanitarian issues in Gaza, while our government remains committed to treating all Malaysian children equally regardless of ethnicity,' he said. 'Connectivity issues affecting rural communities are examples of problems the government is actively working to solve,' he added. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
