Anwar faces new sexual assault charge in power struggle

Malaysia's prime minister-in-waiting denies allegations, calls them a plot to hurt his image

From left to right: Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim and Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali Azmin Ali. © Reuters

P PREM KUMAR, Nikkei staff writer

December 6, 2019 10:58 JST

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia's prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim has been slapped with fresh allegations of homosexuality and alleged sexual misconduct by his former assistant, potentially the third formal sodomy charge against the 72-year-old leader since 1998.

Muhammad Yusoff Rawther, a former researcher working out of Anwar's private office, revealed on Wednesday that he made a statement under oath dated Nov. 19 alleging that the former deputy prime minister requested sexual favors and attempted to attack him in the latter's home in Kuala Lumpur.