Semantan Estate land compensation dispute reaches High Court

The Malaysian government has proposed a settlement regarding compensation owed to Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd for the acquisition of the ‘Duta Enclave’ land. Following a previous court ruling that the land belongs to the government but that Semantan Estate is entitled to compensation for the trespass, the Ministry of Finance has submitted a settlement proposal.

During High Court proceedings, legal counsel for the government indicated that the proposal was received on August 13. Lawyers for Semantan Estate requested a postponement to review the terms, but the judge denied the request, directing the hearing to proceed.

As part of the ongoing determination of the compensation amount, certified valuer Foo Gee Jen testified that the government’s previous valuation of the 263.272-acre site was fundamentally flawed. Foo argued that the government’s reliance on historical reports from the 1950s failed to account for the development potential of the area, noting that surrounding areas like Kenny Hills were already developed at that time. Foo also highlighted a contradiction in the government’s stance, which claimed the land lacked immediate potential while simultaneously acquiring it to establish a diplomatic enclave.