
Decision tomorrow on Anwar's constitutional questions to federal court
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court will deliver its decision tomorrow on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's application to refer eight constitutional questions to the Federal Court concerning the legal provisions on the immunity of a sitting prime minister.
Judge Roz Mawar Rozain set the date after hearing submissions on Anwar's application, which is related to a civil suit alleging sexual assault filed against him by Yusoff four years ago.
During proceedings today, lawyer Alan Wong Teck Wei acted for Anwar, who is also Tambun member of parliament, while lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali appeared for Yusoff.
Previously, Anwar's senior political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin had stressed that there was no attempt in the application to seek absolute immunity.
He had said Anwar's application to the Federal Court is a lawful process to seek clarity from the court on his position in carrying out official duties when facing a civil suit based on claims that precede his appointment as prime minister.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
June 10 hearing on Anwar's bid to stay sexual assault suit
KUALA LUMPUR: The Court of Appeal has set June 10 for the ad interim hearing of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's bid to stay proceedings in a 2021 sexual assault suit filed by his former research officer, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther. Anwar's lawyer, Datuk Seri Rajasegaran Krishnan, said the date was fixed during case management before deputy registrar Ahmad Izuddin Fajri Fakrullah. "The full stay application hearing is on July 21,'" he told the "New Straits Times". The hearing comes ahead of the civil trial on June 16 before High Court judge Roz Mawar Rozain. The suit was filed before Anwar became prime minister on Nov 24, 2022. Separately, Rajasegaran said Sept 2 was set for case management in Anwar's appeal against Roz Mawar's decision rejecting his bid to refer eight constitutional questions to the Federal Court, including whether he has immunity from civil suits. Roz Mawar, in her decision, ruled that Anwar's referral application on the eight constitutional questions was speculative and did not meet the requirements under Section 84 of the Courts of Judicature Act. Anwar had sought the apex court to rule whether Articles 5, 8, 39, 40 and 43 of the constitution grant him qualified immunity from Yusoff's suit. He also argued that the suit could impair his ability to perform executive duties and undermine the constitutional separation of powers.


Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Singapore's ex-minister Iswaran completes jail sentence
Former Singapore transport minister S Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months in prison in October 2024 on four charges of accepting valuable items as a public servant and one charge of obstruction of justice. (AFP pic) SINGAPORE : Former transport minister S Iswaran has completed his jail sentence for corruption and is no longer in custody, local media reported. The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) said Iswaran completed his sentence under the home detention scheme, The Straits Times reported today. Iswaran, 62, was sentenced to 12 months in prison by the High Court on Oct 3, 2024, after pleading guilty to four charges of accepting valuable items as a public servant and one charge of obstruction of justice. He began serving his sentence on Oct 7 and was placed on home detention on Feb 7 this year, after being assessed as suitable for the scheme.


The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Federal Court ruling on SIS Forum fatwa appeal set for June 19
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Court will deliver its ruling on June 19 in the appeal filed by SIS Forum (Malaysia) against a fatwa issued by Selangor religious authorities, which declared the organisation deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings. The matter was confirmed by Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, counsel for the Selangor Fatwa Committee, when contacted Friday (June 6). "The court informed the parties of the decision date via e-mail on May 20," he said. ALSO READ: Federal Court hears SIS Forum's appeal on fatwa labelling it deviant In addition to the Selangor Fatwa Committee, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) and the Selangor government are also named as respondents in the appeal. On Aug 21, 2023, the Federal Court granted leave to SIS Forum and its founder, Zainah Mahfoozah Anwar, to appeal against the Court of Appeal's earlier decision dismissing their bid to annul the fatwa. In a 2-1 majority decision, the Court of Appeal held that the fatwa did not constitute a final decision and, therefore, could not be challenged by way of judicial review. ALSO READ: SIS to appeal court decision in fatwa case SIS Forum and Zainah had appealed after the High Court dismissed their application for a judicial review on Aug 27, 2019. The fatwa, gazetted by the Selangor government on July 31, 2014, declared SIS Forum, as well as any individual or group subscribing to liberalism and pluralism, as deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings. The fatwa further directed that any publication espousing liberal or pluralist views be banned and seized, and urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to censor social media content deemed contrary to Islamic teachings and syariah law. – Bernama