The ruling ends the claimants' years-long legal battle with Malaysia over a colonial-era land deal France's highest civil court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by the heirs of a former sultan who sought nearly US$15 billion from Malaysia's government,

France's highest civil court rejected an appeal by the heirs of a former sultan seeking $15 billion from Malaysia, concluding a legal battle over an 1878 land deal. The decision, following a challenge by Malaysia's government,

France's highest civil court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by the heirs of a former sultan who sought nearly $15 billion from Malaysia's government, drawing a line under a lengthy legal battle stemming from an 1878 land deal.

Minister Azalina Othman Said says the landmark decision will help preserve the sanctity of international arbitration as an alternative form of dispute resolution.