Latest news with #MuhammedYusoffRawther
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Malaysia's top court to hear Anwar's immunity bid in sexual harassment case
The Court of Appeal on Monday ruled that proceedings must be postponed to allow Anwar to pursue a constitutional challenge over whether a sitting prime minister should be shielded from such lawsuits, particularly those related to events before he took office and might be politically motivated. Anwar is facing a civil suit filed by his former research aide, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, who has accused him of sexual assault at his private residence in 2018, when he was the opposition leader. Anwar has denied the allegations. The trial was initially scheduled to begin in mid-June, but a three-member bench agreed it should be deferred to give Anwar sufficient time to seek clarification from the Federal Court on the scope of legal protections afforded to a serving prime minister. Anwar's lawyers have argued that the prime minister is 'simply asserting his right to raise constitutional questions of public importance' and is not attempting to avoid trial. The questions include whether a sitting prime minister should be granted protection from politically motivated suits aimed at undermining the government, and whether civil suits involving conduct before a leader taking office should be subject to safeguards.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Court halts sexual assault suit against PM Anwar Ibrahim
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has granted a stay in the civil suit filed against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 2021 by his former research officer, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther over allegations of sexual assault. The decision effectively puts the High Court trial on hold, pending the outcome of constitutional issues that are being brought before the Federal Court. The decision, made by a three-member panel today, means the trial will not proceed until the appellate court hears the Prime Minister's appeal against the High Court's refusal to refer key constitutional questions to the apex court. Case management has been set for Sept 2, during which a hearing date for the appeal will be scheduled. In a statement, Anwar's lead counsel Datuk Seri Rajasegaran S Krishnan stressed that the Prime Minister is not seeking immunity from legal action or attempting to avoid trial. 'The Prime Minister is simply asserting his right to raise constitutional questions of public importance before the trial begins,' he said. Among the questions raised are whether civil suits involving a sitting prime minister's conduct prior to taking office should be subject to safeguards and whether there should be protection from politically motivated suits aimed at undermining a government—similar to SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) cases. The legal team also questioned whether a filtering mechanism should be in place—similar to those applied to judges or Malay Rulers under Article 183 of the Federal Constitution—before such suits are allowed to proceed. 'These are serious and unprecedented questions. If not addressed, any Prime Minister could be targeted with lawsuits timed for political impact, risking the stability of the executive,' the statement added. The stay allows the appellate courts to consider the constitutional implications before the trial resumes. 'The prime minister has nothing to hide and is ready to respond to all claim through a process that respects the Constitution and the balance of powers it upholds,' said Rajasegaran. halting the sexual assault suit filed against him in 2021 by former research officer Muhammed Yusoff Rawther. The civil suit against Anwar was filed by his former research assistant, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther who alleged that he was sexually harassed by Anwar in 2018. The lawsuit, filed in 2021, claims the incident took place at Anwar's private office. Anwar has strongly denied the allegation, calling it baseless and politically motivated. The High Court had previously fixed the trial to begin in June this year. Anwar had sought the apex court to rule whether Articles 5,8,39,40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution grant him qualified immunity from Yusoff's suit. Anwar had asked the court to decide whether Yusoff's suit would impair the effective discharge of his executive duties and undermine the constitutional separation of powers. He had also requested the court to consider whether the lawsuit impacts his ability to carry out executive duties and undermines the principle of separation of powers guaranteed by the Constitution.
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
AGC files appeal against Yusoff Rawther's acquittal
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has filed a notice of appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to acquit and discharge Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, a former research assistant to a politician, of charges of trafficking cannabis and possessing two imitation firearms. In a statement today, the AGC said the appeal challenges the High Court's June 12 ruling which acquitted the accused without calling for his defence at the close of the prosecution's case, under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (Act 234) and Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960 (Act 206). 'Upon careful consideration of the learned High Court judge's decision, we have filed a notice of appeal earlier today against the acquittal and discharge,' the statement read. 'Section 39B(2) of Act 234 provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if the death penalty is not imposed, the sentence shall include not less than 12 strokes of the cane. Section 36(1) of Act 206 carries a maximum sentence of one year's imprisonment, a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both,' it added. On June 12, Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin acquitted Muhammed Yusoff, 32, after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him at the end of its case. In his judgment, the judge said the prosecution had failed to prove that he had custody, control, or possession of the two imitation firearms and the drugs in question, based on the testimony of prosecution witnesses.
Malaysian Reserve
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
AGC files appeal against Yusoff Rawther's acquittal
KUALA LUMPUR — The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has filed a notice of appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to acquit and discharge Muhammed Yusoff Rawther (picture), a former research assistant to a politician, of charges of trafficking cannabis and possessing two imitation firearms. In a statement today, the AGC said the appeal challenges the High Court's June 12 ruling which acquitted the accused without calling for his defence at the close of the prosecution's case, under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (Act 234) and Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960 (Act 206). 'Upon careful consideration of the learned High Court judge's decision, we have filed a notice of appeal earlier today against the acquittal and discharge,' the statement read. 'Section 39B(2) of Act 234 provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if the death penalty is not imposed, the sentence shall include not less than 12 strokes of the cane. Section 36(1) of Act 206 carries a maximum sentence of one year's imprisonment, a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both,' it added. On June 12, Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin acquitted Muhammed Yusoff, 32, after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him at the end of its case. In his judgment, the judge said the prosecution had failed to prove that he had custody, control, or possession of the two imitation firearms and the drugs in question, based on the testimony of prosecution witnesses. — BERNAMA
Barnama
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
AGC Files Appeal Against Yusoff Rawther's Acquittal
KUALA LUMPUR, June 16, 2025 (Bernama) -- The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has filed a notice of appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to acquit and discharge Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, a former research assistant to a politician, of charges of trafficking cannabis and possessing two imitation firearms. In a statement today, the AGC said the appeal challenges the High Court's June 12 ruling which acquitted the accused without calling for his defence at the close of the prosecution's case, under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (Act 234) and Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960 (Act 206). 'Upon careful consideration of the learned High Court judge's decision, we have filed a notice of appeal earlier today against the acquittal and discharge,' the statement read.
