Govt may hand over undeveloped Duta Enclave land to Semantan Estate, conditional upon collaboration with GLCs — PM

• Anwar also dismissed suggestions for excessive compensation to resolve the dispute, warning of potentially serious implications for the country.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 29): The federal government may consider handing over undeveloped land within the disputed Duta Enclave — a 263.27-acre (106.54-hectare) plot in Mukim Batu — to Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

This follows the High Court’s October ruling that the Duta Enclave should be returned to Semantan Estate, effectively declaring the government’s 1956 acquisition of the land invalid.

While emphasising that the government is appealing against the court’s decision on the land title transfer, Anwar noted that negotiations with Semantan Estate are ongoing.

“The secretary general of the Treasury has held two rounds of discussions with them. We may consider allowing the undeveloped land to be handed over to them, provided they must collaborate with government-linked companies (GLCs),” Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday during the prime minister’s question time.

Anwar, who also serves as the finance minister, was responding to a query from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Perikatan Nasional–Kota Bharu) about the government’s approach to resolving the Duta Enclave dispute.

The disputed land, acquired by the federal government in 1956 for RM1.4 million, currently hosts several government facilities, including the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium, the National Archives, and the Federal Territory Mosque.

In the judgement released on Oct 23, High Court judge Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh noted that it is essential to acknowledge the undeniable fact established in the 2009 High Court judgement that the original acquisition of the land was improperly executed by the government.

Therefore, Ahmad Shahrir stated, the land must be transferred back to Semantan Estate as it is the rightful action to take.

No excessive compensation

Anwar also dismissed suggestions for excessive compensation to resolve the dispute, warning of potentially serious implications for the country.

This followed Takiyuddin’s disclosure that the previous administration had offered compensation worth RM5 billion, which was declined by Semantan Estate.

"We must be mindful that if the government compromises easily on this case, it could set a precedent affecting other communities, especially with regard to Malay-owned land in urban areas," Anwar said.

"This is why the Cabinet disagreed with the previous administration’s proposal. We will negotiate fairly with Semantan Estate — they will receive compensation far higher than RM1.4 million, but this cannot be taken for granted."

​Govt mulls amending Land Acquisition Act

Meanwhile, Anwar said the government is also contemplating amendments to the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to prevent future cases similar to the long-standing Duta Enclave dispute and ensure fair compensation.

“The law must be strengthened, and public interest cannot be compromised,” Anwar stated, adding that the Bill is being reviewed by the Attorney General’s Chambers before it is presented to the Cabinet for finalisation.

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