Bersatu leader: Anwar unfit to be PM with pending sexual assault suit

A Bersatu Supreme Council member today claimed that Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim is unfit to be once again named as the coalition's prime minister candidate pending the outcome of a civil suit by his former research assistant, Muhammad Yusoff Rawther, over alleged sexual assault.

Incumbent Mersing MP Abdul Latiff Ahmad, who referred to Harapan's announcement on the candidacy at its convention in Perak last week, cited Yusoff's lawsuit against Anwar on July 14, 2021, alleging sexual assault by the PKR president four years ago.

"In this situation, it is up to Harapan to review their prime minister's candidate.

"They must respect the country's election process by ensuring that all candidates, particularly the prime minister's candidate, are clean and of integrity," said Latiff in a statement.

“Until the High Court delivers a decision in Yusoff’s case, Anwar is unfit to be named as prime minister candidate."

Latiff said Anwar's nomination also goes against convention in most other countries where politicians implicated in sex scandals would step aside from any election or withdraw from the government, to safeguard public confidence and the nation's reputation.

In announcing Anwar's candidacy, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the endorsement was decided after a Harapan leaders’ retreat in Port Dickson and Seremban.

Yusoff, in his statement of claim, alleged that the sexual assault occurred on Oct 2, 2018, at Anwar’s residence in Segambut.

Yusoff also claimed that as a result of the incident, he was accused of plotting to bring down Anwar and damage his political career, which affected his mental health.

Anwar had filed a counter-suit.

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