KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has fixed January and March next year to hear several pre-trial issues in a sexual assault lawsuit filed by former research assistant Muhammed Yusoff Rawther against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Justice Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan fixed Jan 27 until Jan 29 and March 1 until March 5 for hearing on the preliminary issues during proceedings held in chambers here on Thursday (Nov 5).
The judge, whose transfer to the Ipoh High Court became effective this Nov 1, will continue to preside over the case.
Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, who represented Muhammed Yusoff, told the media that his client would most likely testify via Zoom on Jan 27.
He said parties have also been instructed to appear before the court for a physical case management on Nov 27.
"The actual timing for the Zoom proceedings will be sorted then, to consider the time difference between Malaysia and Muhammed Yusoff's location," he said.
Anwar was represented by lawyer Christopher Leong during the in-chamber proceedings.
On Sept 30, Justice Raja Ahmad allowed Anwar's application for a pre-trial ruling on several issues in Muhammed Yusoff's lawsuit, saying that the issues posed in the application were suitable to be determined as preliminary issues under Order 33 Rule 2 of the Rules of Court 2012.
On March 31, Anwar filed the application under Sections 15 and 15A of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, stating that a determination of preliminary issues could dispose of the suit, render a trial unnecessary and save time and expenditure.
Among the questions raised in Anwar’s application are whether his former private secretary Shukri Saad instructed Yusoff to personally deliver a copy of a speech to Anwar’s then Bukit Segambut Dalam residence on Oct 2, 2018; whether Yusoff travelled with Anwar’s former security personnel Norafee Ahmad @ Dekdi from Anwar’s office in Petaling Jaya to the Bukit Segambut residence around 3pm the same day; and whether the alleged meeting between them at the residence took place.
Muhammed Yusoff filed the suit on July 14, 2021, alleging Anwar sexually assaulted him on Oct 2, 2018, at Anwar’s residence in Segambut.
He claimed the incident led to accusations that he was plotting to bring down Anwar and damage the PKR president’s political career, affecting his mental health.
He is seeking special, general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.
Anwar has denied the allegations and filed a countersuit.
In his statement of defence, Anwar said the allegations were "utterly false and fabricated".
He said the alleged assault could not have occurred as he was entertaining family and friends at his Bukit Segambut residence on the date in question.
