Businessman Tan Sri Halim Saad has suffered another legal setback after the Court of Appeal dismissed his attempt to revive a multibillion-ringgit lawsuit against the government, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and former finance minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. The case stemmed from the government’s controversial takeover of Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Berhad (UEM) shares in 2001.
A three-member bench led by Justice Datuk Supang Lian, with Justices Datuk Lim Chong Fong and Datuk Dr Alwi Abdul Wahab, ruled unanimously that Halim’s case could not proceed. The court held that his claims were time-barred under the Limitation Act 1953 and the Public Authorities Protection Act 1948. As a result, the appeal was struck out, and Halim was ordered to pay RM20,000 in legal costs.
The ruling echoed an earlier decision from May 2024, when the High Court allowed applications by Dr Mahathir, Nor Mohamed, and the government to strike out Halim’s suit. That case, filed in 2022, was effectively a second attempt to litigate claims similar to a 2013 lawsuit, which had already been dismissed. The Federal Court in 2015 also refused Halim’s bid to reinstate the earlier suit.
Halim, the former executive chairman of Renong, had alleged that he was pressured by top government leaders not to proceed with a plan to privatise UEM. According to his claim, he was instructed to step down from his roles in both Renong and UEM, and to dispose of his shares, resulting in significant financial losses. He further argued that Khazanah Nasional, through its subsidiary Danasaham Sdn Bhd, subsequently took over UEM, which held a substantial stake in Renong.
Halim had sought compensation amounting to RM1.8 billion, as well as recognition of his rights as a Renong shareholder. He maintained that the takeover between July and October 2001 deprived him of ownership and control.
The defendants, however, rejected the allegations and stated that the takeover was carried out with Halim’s agreement. They highlighted that he had received RM165 million in compensation, undermining his claims of coercion.
During the latest appeal, Halim was represented by lawyers Datuk Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, A. Surendra Ananth, and Yvonne Lim, while senior federal counsel Ahmad Hanir appeared on behalf of the government and the two former leaders.
With the Court of Appeal’s ruling, Halim’s long-running legal battle appears to have reached its final chapter, leaving little room for further challenge.
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