Waytha Sues Anwar After Meeting Bersatu Leaders Coincidence

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A DAP MP today questioned the timing of P Waythamoorthy’s lawsuit challenging Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s appointment to Putrajaya.
In a Facebook statement, Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan said the legal action followed Waythamoorthy’s meeting with Bersatu leaders.
Syahredzan described Waythamoorthy’s suit to disqualify Anwar as “frivolous and vexatious”.
He then cast doubt on the credibility of the Malaysian Advancement Party (MAP) president by examining his previous political affiliations.
“The lawyer, or more specifically, P Waythamoorthy, was a member of Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Pakatan Harapan cabinet from 2018 to 2020.
“During that time, Anwar Ibrahim contested in a by-election in Port Dickson and was returned to Parliament as an MP.
“Waythamoorthy did not have a problem with it at the time. He did not file any suit to disqualify Anwar then, even until Parliament was dissolved in 2022,” Syahredzan said.
P WaythamoorthyHe stated that Anwar has now served as the Tambun MP for nearly three years, during which time Waythamoorthy did not object to his election or appointment as prime minister - until now.
Syahredzan added that Waythamoorthy had even gone on record describing Anwar as “the best person to lead Mitra,” referring to the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit.
“Is this not an acknowledgement that Anwar is the prime minister legally?
“For 996 days, Anwar was the Tambun MP. Only now, Waythamoorthy wants to disqualify Anwar? Is it a coincidence that Waythamoorthy met Bersatu leaders last month, and today we are told about this suit against Anwar?” Syaredzan asked.
Earlier today, Waythamoorthy filed an originating summons against Anwar, claiming that Anwar’s status as MP and prime minister is unconstitutional.
‘Anwar’s disqualification never revoked’
In the suit filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, Waythamoorthy is seeking a declaration that Anwar’s disqualification as a member of the August House “was never revoked” by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in accordance with Article 48(3) of the Federal Constitution.
The National Palace“This is a matter involving misrepresentation and the misleading of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (at the time), in the appointment of the defendant as prime minister under Article 43 of the Federal Constitution.
“This is an unprecedented and extraordinary situation in our country, where His Majesty’s decision was obtained based on a false qualification or misrepresentation, thereby undermining the role of the constitution and the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he alleged at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
The former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department is also seeking a court declaration that Anwar’s victory in the Tambun parliamentary seat during the 15th general election on Nov 19, 2022, and his subsequent appointment as prime minister on Nov 24, 2022, are null and void.
According to him, Article 48(3) requires an express revocation by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and without such revocation, Anwar remained disqualified until May 15, 2023, including at the time he contested the Tambun parliamentary seat in GE15.
He further alleged that Anwar “falsely represented himself” as being qualified to hold the office of prime minister when appearing before the Agong after GE15.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim“Anwar must immediately cease acting as the Tambun MP and as prime minister,” Waythamoorhy said.
He claimed that although Anwar received a full royal pardon on May 16, 2018, the instrument of pardon did not revoke the disqualification under Article 48(1)(e).
On Jan 10, 2023, the Federal Court dismissed a lawyer’s application for leave to proceed with an appeal to reinstate a legal action against the royal pardon awarded to Anwar, over the prime minister’s conviction in a sodomy case.
A three-person Federal Court bench chaired by then Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat unanimously rejected Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz’s leave to appeal bid.
The other apex court bench members were P Nallini and Vernon Ong.
Khairul was appealing against a Court of Appeal decision to allow Anwar’s appeal to strike out the writ of summons on Sept 21, 2021. - Mkini

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