KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 1): The High Court has set Jan 6 to deliver its decision on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's discovery application in the civil suit involving his former research assistant Muhammed Yusoff Rawther.
Judicial commissioner Dr John Lee Kien How @ Mohd Johan Lee set the date after listening to submissions from both parties earlier on Thursday (Dec 1).
Anwar's counsel Navpreet Singh confirmed this with theedgemarkets.com when contacted. Lawyer Mahajoth Singh appeared for Muhammed Yusoff.
In the discovery application, Anwar, among others, is seeking copies of all WhatsApp conversations between him and Muhammed Yusoff from September 2018 to June 2019, and a copy of the latter's statutory declaration made in November 2019.
According to court filings, Anwar stated that the documents requested are important to verify the "factual events" pleaded by Muhammed Yusoff in his statement of claim.
Anwar added that it is necessary for him to peruse these documents as they are "significant evidence to the core issues in dispute", and will help with the fair disposal of the suit.
Anwar had also filed an application for interrogatories against Muhammed Yusoff, but the application was withdrawn.
Navpreet said that the court had awarded cost of RM1,000 to Muhammed Yusoff.
Muhammed Yusoff filed the suit against Anwar in July 2021 regarding allegations of sexual assault by the PKR president in 2018.
In his statement of claim, Muhammed Yusoff alleged that the sexual assault took place on Oct 2, 2018 at Anwar’s residence in Segambut.
The former research assistant claimed that as a result of the incident, he was accused of plotting to bring down Anwar and damage the PKR president'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.
Anwar, meanwhile, has filed a countersuit.
The Pakatan Harapan coalition chairman was sworn in as the 10th PM of Malaysia last Thursday.