Najib's case showed PM not immune to civil action, says Takiyuddin
Takiyuddin Hassan said the Federal Court's decision in 2019 that the prime minister is a 'public officer' and can be sued for abuse of power set an important precedent. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's application to the Federal Court to rule whether he has immunity from a civil suit invites direct comparison with a case concerning former prime minister Najib Razak, says Perikatan Nasional chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan.
In a statement today, Takiyuddin pointed out that Najib had sought immunity from a civil suit filed against him by then DAP MP Tony Pua over allegations of abuse of power in the 1MDB controversy.
Takiyuddin, a lawyer, noted that the Federal Court had decided on Nov 19, 2019 that the prime minister is a 'public officer' and can be sued for abuse of power.
'This case (involving Najib) set an important precedent that a prime minister is not immune to civil or tort action if it relates to the public abuse of power.
'In other words, no citizen, including the prime minister, should be above the law, and no position can be used as a legal shield against actions taken on a personal basis,' he said.
Anwar is asking the High Court to refer eight questions of law to the Federal Court for determination, including whether he has immunity from a civil suit brought against him by a former research assistant.
He said he wants the apex court to rule whether Articles 39, 40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution grant him qualified immunity from a suit filed by Yusoff Rawther four years ago.
The suit relates to events which allegedly took place prior to Anwar taking office on Nov 24, 2022.
In the application filed by Messrs Zain Megat & Murad, Anwar asked the court to decide whether the suit would impair the effective discharge of his executive duties and undermine the constitutional separation of powers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
More tamu desa to be built in Sabah, Sarawak this year
KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) will construct more 'tamu desa' (rural traditional markets) in Sabah and Sarawak this year, to enhance rural market facilities and empower entrepreneurs in both states. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the MADANI Government, through KUSKOP, had allocated RM20 million to implement the Tamu Desa Development Project this year. He added that this included an additional RM10 million announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the MADANI Rakyat Programme in Tawau last month. 'Last year, we successfully built and upgraded 98 tamu desa across Sabah and Sarawak. This year, with an allocation of RM20 million, I hope the same number or more can be built,' he said in a statement today. He was speaking after officiating the Kampung Pinasang Tamu Darat Kaamatan Festival in Kota Belud and subsequently launching the village's tamu desa, which was completed this year at a cost of RM250,000. Ewon said 14 tamu desa were built in the Kota Belud area, part of the 98 premises completed across Sabah and Sarawak last year. 'I have been informed by the village leaders that these premises greatly benefit the residents, especially mothers and small entrepreneurs who conduct business weekly. They not only provide a more comfortable space for selling but can also be used for various community activities on other days,' he said. According to him, the requirements for tamu desa development vary depending on the location and scope of work determined by the District Office, whether for new construction or upgrading, involving costs ranging from RM100,000 to RM300,000. As of May this year, he said, applications for new construction or upgrading of tamu desa premises in Sabah had reached RM40 million, including applications carried over from last year that could not be implemented, and this amount did not yet include applications from Sarawak 'Although our budget is limited, what is important is the continuity of what was implemented last year. What we started last year will be continued and expanded this year. I am confident that this programme will be among the key inputs of the ministry in the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030),' he said. The tamu desa initiative was also part of the government's commitment to pay special attention to the needs of rural Sabah and Sarawak, in line with the nation's inclusive development agenda, he added.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
KTM Komuter, ETS timetables tweaked for upgrading works from Saturday
KTMB had postponed the upgrading works to ensure smooth travel for passengers in the Klang Valley during the 46th Asean Summit. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) will carry out upgrading works to its signalling system along the route between Kepong Station and Salak Selatan Station from Saturday to June 2. There will be adjustments to the timetables for KTM Komuter services in the Klang Valley and electric train services (ETS) during the period. KTM Komuter services on the Pulau Sebang-Batu Caves-Pulau Sebang, and Tanjung Malim-KL Sentral-Tanjung Malim routes, as well as ETS services are expected to see delays of up to 50 minutes from their original schedules. In addition, two ETS services – EG9425 (Padang Besar to Segamat) and EG9321 (Butterworth to Segamat) – will have platform changes at the KL Sentral and Kuala Lumpur Stations, but only on May 31. 'Officers will be on duty at the stations to guide and assist passengers to the correct platforms,' it said. Previously, KTMB postponed the upgrading works to ensure smooth travel for passengers in the Klang Valley during the 46th Asean Summit. This was after the closure of several major roads in the Klang Valley, and the government's recommendation for the rakyat to use public transport to ease traffic congestion.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Zahid aims to send more Mara students to UK after US intake halt
Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said changes in the US higher education policy should be seen as an opportunity to explore higher education in other nations. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi aims to send more Mara scholarship students to the UK after the agency's decision to stop sending them to the US from this year. Zahid said Washington's changes in higher education policy, particularly involving the intake of foreign students, should be seen as an opportunity to explore higher education in other nations. The rural and regional development minister, whose ministry oversees Mara, said this includes exploring new opportunities in the UK, Bernama reported. 'We know that Mara has decided to stop sending its sponsored students to the US. My approach is this: when there's a threat, there's always an opportunity. We have to look at the other side of the coin. 'In situations like this, I believe the UK education system, which we are familiar with, can be put to good use,' said Zahid, who is on a five-day working trip to the UK until Wednesday. Yesterday, Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said sponsored students will not be sent to the US from this year in view of new policies and guidelines by US president Donald Trump. He said sending these students to countries like the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and even China would be cheaper than studying in the US. The Trump administration recently ordered a halt to visa processing for all foreign students and is considering steps to screen new applicants based on their social media posts.
