Malaysia Court Denies PM Anwar’s Bid to Suspend Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is seeking to temporarily stay a sexual assault civil trial filed against him by former aide Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, pending the outcome of his appeal. The Court of Appeal will hear Anwar's interim stay application on June 10, with a full hearing set for July 21, after a High Court dismissed his effort to refer eight constitutional questions on prime ministerial immunity to the Federal Court. The High Court ruled that the constitutional questions were speculative and did not meet the threshold for referral, affirming that the executive is not immune from personal civil liability and ordering the trial to proceed on June 16. Anwar's legal team argues that these constitutional issues are complex and novel, involving protections for executive functions and the risk of politically motivated lawsuits, emphasizing that the stay is necessary to preserve justice and constitutional integrity. Anwar has clarified that his application is not to seek personal immunity or evade scrutiny but to protect the integrity of his office. He is appealing the High Court's decision, with case management for the appeal scheduled for September 2.