The PKR leader denies the allegations, saying that he was busy campaigning at the time of the alleged incident

by AZREEN HANI/ pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (picture) said he is ready to assist the police on investigation pertaining to sexual misconduct against former staff at a foundation he heads.

“I wish to stress that I am ready to give my statement to the police in the immediate term to assist with the investigation,” Anwar said in a media statement yesterday.

“In reference to the latest slanderous allegation against me, I am thankful to the police for expediting their probe,” he added.

It was reported last week that Anwar’s former researcher, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, lodged a police report, alleging that he was sexually assaulted by the PKR leader.

According to Bernama, Muhammed Yusoff made a public statutory declaration on Dec 4, alleging that he was sexually assaulted by Anwar on Oct 2.

Anwar has strongly denied the allegation, saying that he was busy campaigning for the Port Dickson parliamentary by-election at the time of the alleged incident.

Muhammed Yusoff was called up to record his statement by the police for a second time on Tuesday, which lasted for seven hours.

PKR communications director Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil also clarified that Muhammed Yusoff was not a party researcher.

Muhammed Yusoff, according to Ahmad Fahmi, was just an assistant staff at a foundation called Yayasan Aman.

Meanwhile, the police said Anwar and several individuals will be called concerning Muhammed Yusoff’s allegation.

Bukit Aman (Federal Police) Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Huzir Mohamed said in a statement that the case will be investigated under Section 354 of the Penal Code (assault or use of criminal force to a person with intent to outrage modesty).

The investigation papers will be referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers with some recommendations based on the findings of the investigation.

Huzir previously said the police recorded Muhammed Yusoff’s statement and obtained his statutory declaration on the alleged assault for the first time on Monday.