PETALING JAYA: The application to refer eight legal questions to the Federal Court has never been about seeking personal immunity or escaping legal scrutiny, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Instead, the Prime Minister said his application to the High Court concerns the integrity of the Federal Constitution and the need to ensure that anyone holding high public office is protected from politically motivated litigation.

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Anwar also reiterated that he remained committed to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.

“It (application) concerns the integrity of our constitutional system and the need to ensure that high public office is protected from litigation that may be strategically timed, politically motivated, or institutionally disruptive.

“I remain fully committed to the rule of law, the independence of our courts, and the dignity of democratic governance.

“The legal process will continue, and I will continue to discharge my responsibilities without distraction or compromise," he wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday (June 4).

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Earlier on Wednesday, the High Court dismissed Anwar’s application to refer eight legal questions to the Federal Court, including whether the Prime Minister enjoys immunity from lawsuits.

The legal questions relate to a lawsuit filed by Anwar's former research assistant, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, concerning an alleged sexual assault seven years ago.

Judge Roz Mawar Rozain made the ruling on Wednesday (June 4) after finding that none of the articles of a Federal Constitution (FC) cited by Anwar's legal team gave rise to any real, substantial or justiciable question of constitutional law requiring determination by the Federal Court under Article 128(2) of the FC or Section 84 of Courts of Judicature Act 1964.

The Prime Minister filed the application on May 23, seeking the High Court, which is hearing the suit, to refer the eight legal questions to the Federal Court.