Semantan Estate seeks Duta Enclave sale or current value compensation

 Company estimates the 263-acre site in Kuala Lumpur is worth up to RM13 billion, following failed attempts to recover the title.

The Duta Enclave houses several government complexes, sport facilities and other major landmarks. (X pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd has filed a fresh suit seeking to compel the government to sell the Duta Enclave land in Kuala Lumpur and pay it the proceeds, or compensate it based on the property’s current market value, estimated at RM12 billion to RM13 billion.

The company, which is in members’ voluntary liquidation, contends that it remains the beneficial owner of the 263.272-acre site despite previous court rulings preventing it from recovering possession or having the registered title transferred back.

In its statement of claim filed in the High Court last week by law firm AG Kalidas Doris & Nada, Semantan Estate said the government continued to occupy and benefit from the land despite a 2009 court ruling that the purported acquisition was void from the outset.

The company is represented in the action by its liquidator, Jim Lai.

It is suing the government, the federal lands commissioner and five other federal officials responsible for land administration and registration.

Semantan Estate said the government took possession of the land between 1956 and 1958, purportedly for a diplomatic enclave, but developed it for other purposes.

The site now contains government offices, cultural and commercial buildings, roads and other infrastructure.

Semantan Estate said Putrajaya holds the land, or at least its registered title, on trust for the company and should be ordered to sell the property and account for the proceeds.

It argued that compensating it based on the land’s 1956 value would deprive the company of almost the entire economic value of its property. Its provisional estimate of the land’s value at that time was about RM1.58 million.

It is also seeking equitable compensation for alleged breach of trust, damages for breach of its property rights under Article 13 of the Federal Constitution, and restitution for benefits obtained by the government through its continued occupation and use of the land.

In June 2025, the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court order directing the land registrar to transfer the title to Semantan Estate. It also directed an assessment of the land’s value as of Dec 3, 1956, with interest at 6% a year under the former Land Acquisition Enactment.

The Federal Court refused the company leave to appeal in November 2025.

Semantan Estate argued that its latest claims are distinct from the earlier proceedings, which concerned attempts to compel the government to transfer the title.

The case is scheduled for its first case management before High Court judge Anand Ponnudurai on Nov 3. - FMT