Dr M receives Halim's lawsuit notice

SHAH ALAM - Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad confirms that he has received a lawsuit notice from businessman Tan Sri Halim Saad today.

The lawsuit is to claim damages regarding for his losses after the acquisition of Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Berhad (UEM) shares by the government almost 23 years ago.

Dr Mahathir in a statement on Friday said that former finance minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and the Malaysian government were named as the defendant in the notice.

“I have received a notice earlier. Lawyers informed that Halim has sued me, Nor Mohamed and the Malaysian government allegedly because I ordered them to release UEM and Renong without any profits to him.

“Halim claimed he did not agree with the orders, but I misused my powers in 2001 to force him to let go of it. He claimed that UEM and Renong was his and his Constitutional rights were set aside."

The media on Wednesday reported a summon writ was filed in the High Court Registration Office here on Aug 2 through Messrs Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.

The claim statement had Halim as the plaintiff claiming he was instructed by Dr Mahathir and Nor Mohamed not to proceed with the acquisition of 32.69 per cent of Renong’s shares from UEM.

However, Halim claimed he was required to support the government’s initiative through Khazanah Nasional Bhd to take over UEM through a general offer.

Dr Mahathir said he was prepared to answer any charges through lawyers in the courts and nothing was being concealed.

“I’m puzzled by Halim’s claims. Why did he not take action towards me all this time and only brought this issue up nearing elections.

“Are we repeating the history of not taking any responsibility?” he questioned.