Thu Sep 12 04:37:00 UTC 2024: ## Government Wins Stay on Transfer of Prime Kuala Lumpur Land to Semantan Estate

**KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12** – The Malaysian government has successfully secured a stay on a High Court ruling that ordered the transfer of a 263.272-acre (106.542-hectare) plot of land in Mukim Batu, Kuala Lumpur, to Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd (SESB). The stay will remain in effect until the government’s appeal is heard at the Court of Appeal.

The land, commonly known as the “Duta enclave,” is a prime location housing several important government complexes, including the National Hockey Stadium, the Malaysian Institute of Integrity, the National Archives, and the Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court.

High Court Judge Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh granted the government’s stay application, citing the significant consequences that would arise if the transfer were to proceed before the appeal. “There would be immense irreversible consequences,” he said, highlighting the disruption to government operations and the potential loss of valuable historical records housed at the National Archives.

The ongoing land dispute dates back to 2003 when Semantan Estate filed a lawsuit against the government, alleging illegal acquisition of the land. In 2009, the High Court ruled in favor of Semantan Estate, confirming their beneficial interest in the land. The government appealed the decision, but their appeal was struck out in 2012 and their subsequent attempt to review the decision was dismissed by the Federal Court.

In February 2017, Semantan Estate initiated a lawsuit against the Federal Territory Land Registrar to enforce the 2009 judgment, ultimately leading to the High Court ruling in August 2019 that ordered the transfer of the land.

The government has proposed a resolution to the land dispute and is now awaiting the Court of Appeal hearing scheduled for September 19th.

Read More