Malaysia Nears Settlement in Duta Enclave Land Compensation Dispute

The Malaysian government and Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn. Bhd. are close to resolving a long-standing dispute over compensation for land designated as Duta Enclave, which the government occupied.

Senior Federal Counsel Nurhafizza Azizan informed the court that the government has received instructions to present a settlement proposal to Semantan Estate. This proposal, originating from the Ministry of Finance, was received by the counsel on August 13. "We want to resolve this case as soon as possible," Azizan stated, adding that Semantan Estate requires time to consult with their client before deciding on the settlement terms.

Ira Biswas, representing Semantan Estate, confirmed receipt of the offer and requested a postponement of the proceedings to allow for a thorough review of the settlement terms. However, Judge Roslan Mat Nor denied the request, citing previous delays and the lack of a strong justification for a last-minute postponement. The judge ordered the hearing to determine compensation to proceed, with the first witness, licensed valuer Foo Gee Jen, set to testify.

The Federal Court had ruled in November 2025 that the 106.542-hectare land in Jalan Duta, known as Duta Enclave, legally belongs to the Malaysian government. However, a Court of Appeal panel later decided that Semantan Estate is eligible for compensation for the land that the government had encroached upon. The appeals court directed the parties to determine a fair compensation amount based on the land's value in 1956. The land in question, situated in a prime Jalan Duta location, hosts significant government facilities, including the Inland Revenue Board complex and the National Hockey Stadium.

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We want to resolve this case as soon as possible.