Not Easy For Even Tunm To Sue Pmx As He Has Great Persuasive Power To Delay Trial

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SUCH seems to be the contention of blogger and veteran journalist Datuk A. Kadir Jasin after former unity minister and lawyer Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy filed an originating summons seeking a declaration that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should not have been elected as a MP nor be appointed as Prime Minister (PM).
Filed on Tuesday (Aug 12) which was two days after his 78th birthday on Aug 10, this would have constituted the third high-profile civil suit filed against PMX.
The two existing cases are a defamation suit by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad demanding an apology and damages of RM150 mil and that by PMX’s former research assistant Mohammed Yusoff Rawther alleging sexual assault.
“With another civil suit against him (PMX), it is no wonder that he and his supporters are feeling desperate. Who knows if more civil suits will be filed,” penned Kadir in his latest Facebook post.

“However, under the Westminster system which is the model of our government, the PM possesses great power to persuade. He can use many methods to delay the trial.”
No express trail for TunM’s suit
For the record, Waytha who is also the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF)/Malaysian Advancement Party (MAP) founder wants the High Court to declare that PMX’s election as the Tambun MP on Nov 19, 2022 and his subsequent appointment as PM on Nov 24 that year are null and void.
This is on the grounds that the pardon by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2018 did not state that PMX was exempted from losing the right to contest for a five-year period from the date of his release from prison.
Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy (third from left) with his team of lawyers/legal advisers  which include PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (second from right)As it is, the Article 48(1)(e) in the Federal Constitution prohibits a criminal sentenced to more than one year in prison and a fine of more than RM2,000 from contesting elections for five years after his release.
Recall that PMX was sentenced to five years in prison by the Federal Court in 2015 in his second sodomy case.
In addition to PMX’s influence, Kadir contended that judicial bureaucracy also stood in the way as has happened the trial of Dr Mahathir’s suit.
“It was submitted on May 5, 2023. It has been more than two years. The judge has changed twice. Now a third one will be appointed,” recounted the national journalism laureate.
“In the Yusoff Rawther case, the trial was delayed because last May Anwar asked the High Court to allow him to refer eight questions to the Federal Court pertaining to his ‘immunity’ as PM.

“We’ve to understand that even by changing lawyers, the trial can be delayed. That is what Anwar did on May 28. He changed the line of lawyers representing him in the Yusoff Rawther suit.”
‘Playing the delay game’
Given the afore-mentioned circumstances, Kadir is of the view that both PMX’s backers who are hoping for an immediate clean-up of their idol’s name as well as opposition supporters who want him to be removed as soon as possible are bound to be disappointed.
“These cases cannot be completed in a month or two. It can even drag on for years. There’re civil cases that have been going on for more than a decade but have not been resolved,” asserted the former group editor-in-chief of mainstream New Straits Times.
Datuk A. Kadir Jasin“So there is no big problem for Anwar’s lawyers to delay the trial of these civil cases until the next general election which must be held no later than February 17, 2028.”
Instead of hoping for the impossible to materialise, Kadir who was Dr Mahathir’s media and communications adviser during the latter’s second premiership suggested that “the best thing for the opposition and their supporters is to use these cases as political campaign material”.
“In many ways, whether from an official or personal perspective, the PM is vulnerable. He can be reprimanded, criticised and even sued. Even to holding mass protests so that he is removed,” observed the veteran newsman.
“As a reminder, as I wrote briefly in my FB page on Tuesday (Aug 12), ‘If you aspire to become a public figure, the best policy is not to be found guilty’.” –  Focus Malaysia

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