Federal Court sets November 13 to decide whether Semantan Estate can appeal Duta Enclave land case, involving 263-acre prime government area.
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has fixed November 13 to decide whether Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd can pursue its appeal in the long-running Duta Enclave land dispute.
A three-member bench chaired by Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim said the court needed time to deliberate before delivering its decision next Thursday.
The bench heard submissions from Semantan Estate’s counsel Datuk Dr Cyrus V Das, who urged the court to grant leave to appeal the Court of Appeal’s June 24, 2025 decision.
Cyrus argued that 26 novel constitutional questions regarding property rights and fundamental liberties required the Federal Court’s determination.
Senior Federal Counsel Shamsul Bolhassan, representing the government and several land authorities, opposed the leave application.
He contended that Semantan Estate failed to meet the threshold requirements under the Courts of Judicature Act 1964.
“The Court of Appeal’s decision was that the High Court’s 2009 order merely recognised Semantan Estate’s entitlement in principle but was not executable,” Shamsul said.
The disputed 263.272-acre land in the prime Jalan Duta area currently houses several government buildings including the national hockey stadium and MACC Academy.
The Court of Appeal had ruled that Semantan Estate is not entitled to the land title but deserves adequate compensation based on 1956 land values.
It also ordered both parties to engage valuation experts within 90 days to assess the compensation amount.
Semantan Estate’s legal battle began in 2003 when it sued the government for unlawful land acquisition.
The Federal Court granted Semantan Estate a stay of the Court of Appeal’s decision on August 28 pending the outcome of this leave application. – Bernama
