Kuala lumpur: The High Court today dismissed an application by Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd to stay proceedings in determining the amount of damages owed by the government for the Duta Enclave land. Judge Roslan Mat Nor emphasized that the case was nearing the final stages for damage assessment as ordered by the Court of Appeal.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the judge stated, "The court also needs to consider the submissions made by the defendant (government) that if the stay of proceedings is allowed, it will cause prejudice to the defendant because the Court of Appeal has ordered that interest be paid at the rate of six per cent from 1956 until the date the compensation is paid." With this in mind, the court dismissed the stay application without costs and scheduled a hearing on damages for August 14 and 21 and September 1.

Semantan Estate had filed an application on May 18 to halt proceedings pending an appeal to obtain crucial documents, including land acquisition plans from 1956 to 1960, which they argued were necessary for determining damages. However, Judge Roslan maintained that justice could not be compromised, stating, "This court is of the opinion that it is not appropriate to consider who the parties are in this case, what is important for the court is to decide based on the legal principles that have been stated regarding the adjournment of proceedings."

Senior federal counsel Nurhafizza Azizan represented the government while lawyer Ira Biswas acted for Semantan Estate during the proceedings. The Federal Court had previously dismissed Semantan Estate's appeal for leave on November 13, 2025, reinforcing the Court of Appeal's decision that the Federal Territory Land Titles Registrar need not register 263.272 acres of Duta Enclave land in the company's name.

This decision followed the Court of Appeal's June 2025 ruling that, although Semantan Estate was not entitled to the land title, it was entitled to compensation based on the land's 1956 value when acquired by the government. The disputed land, known as Duta Enclave, is a prime area in Jalan Duta, housing several government buildings.

The legal battle began in 2003 when Semantan Estate sued the government over the alleged illegal acquisition of the land. Although the initial ruling in 2009 favored Semantan Estate, declaring the acquisition illegal, subsequent appeals by the government overturned this decision. Efforts by Semantan Estate to enforce the 2009 judgment have been unsuccessful, including a 2017 suit against the Registrar of Land Titles.

The High Court's 2024 order for land transfer to Semantan Estate was later set aside by the Court of Appeal, maintaining the government's claim to the land. The ongoing dispute highlights the complexities surrounding compensation and land ownership in capital regions.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency