New: Putrajaya to Contest RM13b Duta Enclave Land Suit

The government will defend itself against a fresh Duta Enclave land suit by Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd, which is seeking either the sale of the 263.272-acre site in Kuala Lumpur or compensation based on its current market value, FMT reported.

Senior federal counsel Nurhafizza Azizan informed High Court judge Anand Ponnudurai during case management on Tuesday (Nov 3) that the government intended to contest the action.

Government to file defence

“We will proceed to file our defence,” Nurhafizza told the court.

The court directed the government to file its defence by Jan 4, while Semantan Estate is to file its reply, if any, by Feb 12. The matter has been fixed for further case management on Feb 16.

Lawyer AG Kalidas, who represents the company, confirmed the directions, according to FMT.

Semantan’s claim over Duta Enclave land

Semantan Estate, which is in members’ voluntary liquidation, claims it remains the beneficial owner of the land and that the government holds the site, or at least its registered title, on trust for the company.

It wants the government to be ordered to sell the land and account to the company for the proceeds. Alternatively, it is seeking compensation based on the land’s current market value, which it puts at between RM12 billion and RM13 billion, FMT reported.

The company says the government took possession of the land between 1956 and 1958, purportedly for a diplomatic enclave, and later developed it with government offices, commercial and cultural buildings, and infrastructure.

Earlier rulings

The fresh suit comes despite earlier court rulings that barred the company from recovering possession of the land or having the registered title transferred back to it, according to the report.

In June 2025, the Court of Appeal ordered an assessment of the land’s value as at Dec 3, 1956, with 6% annual interest. The Federal Court refused leave to appeal in November 2025.

Semantan Estate argues that compensation based on the 1956 value, provisionally estimated at RM1.58 million, would deprive it of almost the entire economic value of the property, FMT reported.

#latestmalaysia

Two Men Deny Attempted RM8.2m Jewellery Robbery in Brickfields