High Court to rule on preliminary issues in Anwar's civil suit on Sept 21

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court will decide on Sept 21 whether several preliminary issues raised by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should be determined before the trial of a civil suit filed by his former research aide, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, alleging sexual assault.

Judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan fixed the date after hearing submissions from lawyer Christopher Leong, who represents Anwar, and Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, who represents Yusoff.

Through his application, Anwar is seeking to have several issues concerning Yusoff's movements and presence at his private residence on Oct 2, 2018, determined before the trial begins.

Anwar contends that determining the issues could potentially dispose of the entire suit without the need for a full trial.

Yusoff filed the suit on July 14, 2021, alleging sexual assault and claiming the incident had affected his mental health.

He is seeking general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest and costs.

Anwar has denied the allegations and filed a counterclaim.

In his statement of defence filed on Sept 28, 2021, Anwar alleged that Yusoff had lied under oath to the authorities regarding his allegations.

Anwar, who filed his counterclaim on the same date, also alleged that Yusoff had fabricated the story to tarnish his political career and prevent him from becoming prime minister.

On Sept 9, 2022, the High Court here dismissed Yusoff's application to strike out several paragraphs in Anwar's statement of defence and counterclaim. - NST