Malaysian PM-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim to be questioned by police over claims he sexually assaulted aide

Anwar spent nearly a decade in jail on two separate counts of sodomy and for corruption, charges he maintains were aimed at ending his political career

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has promised to hand power to Anwar, a rival turned ally, despite the latest allegations against him

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Anwar Ibrahim has denied the accusation by the aide, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, describing it as ‘politics at its worst’. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:30pm, 11 Dec 2019Updated: 1:47pm, 18 Dec 2019

Anwar Ibrahim, in line to take over Malaysia’s premiership, will be called in for questioning over allegations that he had sexually assaulted a former male aide, police said on Wednesday.

Anwar has denied the accusation by the aide, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, describing it as “politics at its worst”.

Muhammed Yusoff is being represented by a lawyer who counts Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad among his clients. On Tuesday, Mahathir promised to hand over power to rival-turned-ally Anwar in spite of the latest allegations against him.

Muhammed Yusoff said last week that Anwar had attempted to force him to have sex in September 2018.

Police recorded Muhammed Yusoff’s statement on Monday, criminal investigations department director Huzir Mohamed said in a statement.

“Statements from Anwar Ibrahim and several related witnesses will be taken as soon as appropriate appointment times are set,” Huzir said.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Photo: Reuters

In a statement to media, Anwar said he was grateful to police for speeding up investigations into the “latest defamatory allegations” against him.