Anwar allowed stay of civil suit by ex-research assistant

 A three-member Court of Appeal bench chaired by Ruzima Ghazali said the prime minister has shown special circumstances.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is appealing a High Court’s refusal to refer eight legal questions arising from the suit to the Federal Court for determination. (Bernama pic)

PUTRAJAYA:

 The Court of Appeal has allowed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim a stay of a civil suit brought by a former research assistant over an alleged assault.

The stay is pending the outcome of the prime minister’s appeal to the Court of Appeal against a High Court’s refusal to refer eight legal questions arising from the suit to the Federal Court for determination.

A three-member bench chaired by Ruzima Ghazali said a stay should be granted as Anwar had shown special circumstances.

“His appeal will be rendered nugatory if the application is disallowed,” said Ruzima.

Also on the panel hearing the application were Justices Wong Khian Kheong and Lim Hock Leng.

The court also fixed Sept 2 for case management before a court registrar to fix a hearing date to hear the prime minister’s appeal.

Ruzima, however, said parties were at liberty to apply for an early hearing date. - FMT

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