{
  "id": 13970878,
  "title": "Semantan Estate files new suit seeking sale of RM13bil Duta Enclave land",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/semantan-estate-files-new-suit-seeking-sale-of-rm13bil-duta-enclave",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T13:30:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1553954/semantan-estate-files-new-suit-seeking-sale-rm13bil-duta-enclave-land"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Semantan Estate filed a new lawsuit in the High Court on October 8, demanding the government sell the Duta Enclave land in Kuala Lumpur and account for the proceeds, or alternatively, pay equitable compensation. The estate, in voluntary liquidation, estimates the land's current market value at RM12 billion to RM13 billion. They claim the government occupied, developed, and benefited from the land since 1956, despite a 2009 High Court ruling declaring the acquisition void from the beginning. The land, which was originally divided into 38 lots, was never used for its intended purpose of a diplomatic enclave but instead developed for government, cultural, and commercial buildings, roads, infrastructure, and other facilities. Semantan Estate seeks a declaration that the government holds the land on trust, orders to sell it and account for the proceeds, or equitable compensation for the alleged breach of trust. They also seek restitution for benefits the government allegedly derived from its continued occupation, along with interest, costs, and any other relief deemed fit by the court. The lawsuit was initially filed in 2003, and the High Court ruled in Semantan Estate's favor in 2009. However, the government's appeals were unsuccessful, and the case was returned to the High Court for damage assessment in June 2025.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd and its liquidator have filed a new suit in the High Court here against the government and six other defendants over the Duta Enclave land in Kuala Lumpur.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}