PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has filed an application to stay trial proceedings in connection with a sexual assault suit filed against him in 2021 by former research officer, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther.
Anwar's lawyer, Datuk Seri Rajasegaran Krishnan, confirmed the filing to the New Straits Times.
"We filed the stay application last night. Case management will be held online this afternoon, during which a hearing date will be fixed," he said.
Recently, the Kuala Lumpur High Court's dismissed Anwar's request to refer eight constitutional questions—including whether a sitting Prime Minister is immune from civil suits—to the Federal Court.
Rajasegaran earlier said they had also filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal against the High Court's decision
The appeal was made under Article 128(2) of the Federal Constitution and Section 84 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 (CJA), emphasising the importance of preserving the integrity of the legal process.
“To protect the sanctity of the appellate process, we are also applying to ensure that the Prime Minister is not prematurely subjected to proceedings that may later be deemed unconstitutional,” he said.
He said the eight questions raised are not abstract or academic.
"They involve serious and unresolved constitutional issues, including protections for executive functions, risks of politically motivated litigation, and the interpretation of Articles 5(1), 8(1), 39, 40, and 43 of the Federal Constitution.” - June 6, 2025
