A way out after 23 years? Govt offers Semantan Estate settlement in Duta Enclave dispute

On August 14, the Malaysian government offered Semantan Estate a settlement to resolve its compensation claim over 106 hectares of prime land in Kuala Lumpur, known as the Duta Enclave, where major federal institutions now stand. The offer's terms and value were not disclosed in court, where both parties informed Justice Roslan Mat Nor.

The dispute began in 2003 when Semantan Estate sued the government for unlawfully acquiring the land in 1956. Although Semantan Estate won a ruling in 2009, subsequent appellate decisions found the company was not entitled to the land title. In June 2022, the Court of Appeal ruled that Semantan Estate was entitled to adequate compensation, based on the land's value in 1956.

The Federal Court dismissed Semantan Estate's appeal on November 13, leaving the Court of Appeal's ruling in force. The government's settlement offer provides both sides with an opportunity to resolve the financial dispute without waiting for the assessment process to complete. The hearing continued with chartered surveyor Foo Gee Jen testifying, and the assessment of mesne profits, or compensation for the government's use of the disputed land, is being heard separately.