THE civil suit filed by Yusoff Rawther, former research assistant to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – might yet prove to be the latter’s Achilles’ heel.
Even before the court rules on the civil case and despite the recent dismissal of criminal charges against Yusoff involving alleged drug and firearm possession, Anwar’s position as prime minister appears increasingly precarious.
The opposition has begun to argue – rightly so – that Anwar should either take temporary leave or resign to address the serious allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him.
Anwar, for his part, has taken the legal route, posing eight constitutional questions to the Federal Court in a bid to obtain immunity from civil proceedings which he claims are politically motivated and designed to interfere with his official duties.
Notably, the High Court had earlier denied Anwar’s application to stay the civil suit, signalling that the judiciary does not see his prime ministerial role as a shield against such proceedings.
However, the Court of Appeal subsequently intervened, postponing the trial pending the resolution of Anwar’s constitutional challenge.
Personal capacity
While Anwar insists that the immunity he seeks is for the office of the PM and not for himself personally, the fact remains that Yusoff is suing Anwar the individual – not the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
This distinction matters. The civil suit is not a theoretical challenge to a government institution but a direct allegation of personal misconduct with potentially far-reaching implications for public trust in the country’s leadership.
The recent acquittal of Yusoff on criminal charges – after spending nine months in Sungai Buloh prison for non-bailable offenses – only strengthens the perception that he may have been targeted unfairly.
His legal team, led by Rafique Rashid, convincingly dismantled the prosecution’s case, exposing major flaws and inconsistencies in the evidence.
If the original intent behind the criminal charges was to discredit or silence Yusoff ahead of the civil suit, that strategy has clearly backfired.
‘Set aside temporarily’
The dismissal of Yusoff’s charges was not just a legal victory for one man – it was a small but significant affirmation that justice can still prevail in Malaysia. But justice must also be seen to be done, especially when it involves the highest political office in the land.
The Madani government which once claimed the moral high ground of reform is now increasingly viewed as authoritarian.
Media freedom is tightening with the executive seeming more inclined to encroach upon independent institutions than to uphold their autonomy. The reformist rhetoric has evaporated; in its place is a government increasingly reliant on control and suppression.
Against this backdrop, it is not enough for Anwar to hide behind legal technicalities. The principle of accountability requires him to step aside – temporarily or otherwise – until the civil suit is resolved.
Anything less would further erode public confidence in the judiciary, the rule of law and the very office of the PM.
Anwar must do the right thing – not for his personal image – but for the sake of democracy and good governance.
He should take leave – or resign – pending the outcome of the civil suit filed by Yusoff Rawther. – June 14, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia
Image credit: Bernama
