Another ex-official of Sime Darby Bhd has filed a third-party notice against 13 individuals, in the event that the government-linked corporation succeeds in two suits against him.

Mohamad Shukri Baharom, who was vice-president of the energy and utilities division, filed the notice today through the law firm Messrs Satha & Co.

A third-party notice is one where the defendant gets others to pay the claim (indemnity), if the plaintiffs are successful in their claim against him.

Among the prominent officials named are former solicitor-general Zaitoon Othman and Energy Commission chairperson Ahmad Tajuddin Ali.

Others are Omar Ibrahim, Phua Shin Teik, Dr Abdul Samad, Zainul Rahim, Sekhar Krishnan, Mohd Ramly Kushairi, Mohamed Ariffin Aton, Raja Zaharaton Raja Zainal Ibrahim and Ahmad Zabri Ibrahim.

azlan Sime Engineering Sdn Bhd and Sime Darby Holdings Bhd were also named in the suit.

In the notice, Mohamad Shukri claimed they were all on the board of directors of Sime Engineering Services and/or the Energy and Utility maintenance supervisory committee, representing the highest decision-making body of Sime Darby’s energy and utilities division.

He claimed that, as the third party, they owed a duty to exercise due skills, carry out efficient strategic planning, business development and due diligence on all projects and business development.

On March 8, former Sime Darby CEO Ahmad Zubair @ Ahmad Zubir Murshid had filed a third-party notice against 22 people.

"If you are successful in making your claim against me, I will also seek an indemnity from 22 former and current (members of the) Sime Darby board of directors," he had said in the notice.

Damages sought

Last December, Sime Darby had filed two suits against Ahmad Zubir and four company officials over RM2.1 billion losses incurred in three projects.

Sime Darby is seeking at least RM332 million in damages over losses it allegedly suffered in the Qatar Petroleum Project, the Maersk Oil Qatar (MOQ) Project and its 'Marine Project' which involves the construction of vessels for the MOQ.

Sime Darby recorded an operating loss of RM1.7 billion in its energy and utilities division last year, after making additional provisions of RM777.3 million for the fourth quarter ending June 30.

The conglomerate filed a separate suit over its losses in the Bakun Dam project, in which Mohamad Shukri was among those named.