Anwar’s close aides sued over office brawl

KUALA LUMPUR: Two of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s close aides have been sued by his research assistant over a purported office brawl.

Muhammad Yusoff Rawther, 26, filed two separate suits naming the Port Dickson MP’s political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, 37, and his press secretary Tunku Nashrul Tunku Abaidah, 30, at the Shah Alam Sessions Court recently.

In his statement of claim against Farhash, Yusoff said he was attacked by the former at Anwar’s office in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya at about 10am on May 16.

The plaintiff claimed that the defendant scolded him for being rough towards Anwar’s secretary Shukri Saad, which the plaintiff denied.

Yusoff further claimed Farhash then pushed him to the wall, choked and threatened to kill him.

The plaintiff managed to escape but the defendant allegedly lurched towards the plaintiff and punched him repeatedly.

Farhash then left the office while threatening to kill Yusoff, the latter added.

At about 10.18am, the plaintiff sent a text to Anwar to inform him of the incident and Anwar told him to seek medical attention and rest at home.

The plaintiff received medical treatment on May 16 and 17 at Pantai Hospital, and this cost him RM1,876. He also lodged a police report on the matter.

Yusoff is claiming general damages for the injuries, trauma and emotional distress, exemplary and punitive damages.

He is also claiming for special damages; RM1,876 for his hospital costs, RM400 for his broken Fortis watch strap and RM5,500 for his broken iPhone 6, as well as RM40,000 for surgery to fix his shoulder injury.

He is also seeking costs and other reliefs deemed fit by the court.

In the plaintiff’s statement of claim against Tunku Nashrul, Yusoff claimed that the latter had sent a statement via WhatsApp to several print and electronic reporters on June 10, which was later published in the news.

Yusoff said the defendant had malice when Tunku Nashrul sent out the libellous statement, claiming the incident did not take place and that the plaintiff was a “volunteer researcher who had disciplinary and drug problems”.

The plaintiff is seeking an injunction for the defendant not to repeat the libellous statement and a public apology.

He is also seeking general damages for libel and slander to the tune of RM1mil, aggravated and exemplary damages.

In brief statements, both Farhash and Tunku Nashrul said they had yet to be served with any summons pertaining to the lawsuit and declined to comment further.