THE Attorney-General’s Chambers will represent Dr Mahathir Mohamad, named as defendant in a suit by tycoon Halim Saad over the government’s takeover of United Engineers Malaysia (UEM) Bhd and Renong Bhd, the New Straits Times reports.

Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, who confirmed this, will apply to hold a watching brief for the former prime minister during proceedings, the English daily reported.

Halim filed the suit via Messrs. Malik Imtiaz Sarwar at the High Court on August 2. Aside from the former Langkawi MP, the tycoon also named former minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop and the government as defendants.

In his statement of claim, Halim said the first and second defendants had acted on behalf of the government and were the prime movers in respect of the  compulsory acquisition and deprivation in 2001.

Halim said he intended to make a general offer on UEM either through Renong or jointly with Renong, to take it private as a subsidiary of Renong.

The plaintiff claimed Dr Mahathir, through Nor Mohamed, directed him not to proceed with the takeover, as the government wanted to acquire all the shares in UEM through a designated entity, Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

The plaintiff was also directed to exit both UEM and Renong, both as shareholder and director in subsidiaries of the said companies.

Halim was quoted by the online portal as saying that this had required him to cede his control over Renong and UEM to the government and to eventually dispose his Renong shares at a loss.

Halim claimed he complied with Dr Mahathir’s directive as the latter was the then prime minister and finance minister.

He further claimed he was not compensated for the acquisition of UEM and the deprivation of his rights as a controlling shareholder of Renong.

The plaintiff is seeking a court declaration that he was the beneficiary and legal owner of Renong shares and not Umno Baru.

He is seeking a declaration the government is obliged to provide the plaintiff adequate compensation within the meaning of article 13 of the Federal Constitution.

Halim is also seeking compensation from the government as well as exemplary and aggravated damages. – August 23, 2023.