Government lawyers are now representing Dr Mahathir Mohamad against a lawsuit alleging that the then-prime minister had forced businessperson Halim Saad to cede controlling stake in troubled listed firm Renong Bhd in 2001.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) yesterday filed an appearance at the Shah Alam High Court for Mahathir as well as two other defendants in the matter, namely former finance minister II Nor Mohamed Yakcop and the federal government.

When contacted this afternoon, lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali - who intends to hold a watching brief for Mahathir in the civil action - confirmed the AGC is now acting for the...