Malaysia

Anwar’s former research assistant sues for sex assault

Lawyer of 28-year-old confirms filing suit for damages, yet to serve writ to opposition chief

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 15 Jul 2021 4:37PM

Anwar’s former research assistant sues for sex assault
Muhammed Yusoff Rawther leaving Bukit Aman in December 2019 after questioning by police over his sexual assault and molestation allegations against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. – Bernama pic, July 15, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR – A former research assistant to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has filed a suit against the PKR president for allegedly sexually assaulting him three years ago.

Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, 28, filed the suit through Messrs Abd Halim Ushah & Associates at the high court yesterday.

In the statement of claim, Yusoff stated that the sexual assault took place on October 2, 2018 at Anwar’s residence in Segambut when he was asked by the defendant’s private secretary Shukri Saad to hand over the text of a speech he (Anwar) was to deliver in conjunction with Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th anniversary celebration that was organised by the Indian embassy.

He claimed that Anwar, 73, sexually assaulted and molested him, despite him asking the defendant to stop.

Following the incident, Yusoff claimed there was no communication between him and Anwar for about a month, although he was still working with the defendant then, prior to his transfer to the Aman Foundation before his resignation on June 24, 2019.

He lodged a police report against Anwar on December 7, 2019 and underwent a ‘lie detector test/polygraph test’ at the Royal Malaysia Police Headquarters in Bukit Aman on December 17 the same year, but claimed that Anwar refused to go for the test.

According to Yusoff, the Attorney-General’s Chambers had issued a statement saying that there was not enough evidence to charge Anwar.

He claimed that as a result of the incident, he was accused of conspiring to bring down and damage Anwar’s political career, and this affected his health mentally.

He is seeking special, general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

Meanwhile, Yusoff’s lawyer Mahajoth Singh confirmed to Bernama via WhatsApp today that the suit was filed yesterday and that  they had yet to serve the writ of summons to Anwar.

“We are awaiting to extract the sealed writ (to serve on Anwar). No date has been fixed by the court (over the suit) so far,” he added. – Bernama

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