CLAIMS that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is looking for legal immunity in a civil lawsuit brought by his former aide, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, are misleading, said his senior political secretary.
Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin stated that Anwar's request to the Federal Court is a legitimate process aimed at clarifying his role in performing official duties while facing a civil suit based on allegations that occurred before he became prime minister.
"There is no intention in the application to seek total immunity. Instead, the question is whether such civil action could disrupt the effectiveness of a prime minister in executing the state's executive functions.
"This is a valid and lawful issue to bring before the Federal Court, the highest judicial authority in the nation, which has the power to interpret the Constitution fairly and impartially.
"It's irresponsible to link this legal request with authoritarianism. In fact, in democratic nations, the idea of qualified immunity is often debated to find a balance between the needs of state governance and individual rights," he mentioned in a statement.
Earlier today, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) urged the attorney-general to step in regarding Anwar's request to have legal questions addressed by the highest court — specifically, whether "a sitting PM has qualified immunity from civil suits," and whether a civil suit would hinder the effective execution of his executive duties and disrupt the constitutional separation of powers.
In a statement, LFL director Zaid Malek called the questions raised by Anwar’s new lawyers last week absurd.
Shamsul Iskandar mentioned that while the prime minister is not above the law, he should not be subjected to politically motivated legal actions that could undermine the stability of national governance.
"If the allegations hold any truth, our judicial system operates transparently and independently to hear and make decisions based on facts and the law—not on perception or media influence.
"I encourage all parties to uphold the principle of the rule of law and refrain from misusing legal processes for political narratives.
"Let the courts make the decision. This country has experienced too many instances of legal manipulation for political advantage. All disputes should be settled through legal means, not by swaying public sentiment," he added. - May 30, 2025
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