KUALA LUMPUR – The high court decision on August 7, which saw the federal government lose over 263 acres of prime land to Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd, has serious implications, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He also noted that the area houses important public offices.
While emphasising the need to respect judicial rulings, he urged the court to consider the broader implications from various angles, particularly in the public interest.
The Tambun MP further cautioned that the ruling could set a precedent for future land disputes, leading to greater uncertainty.
Acknowledging the judiciary’s obligation to apply existing laws, Anwar said he would propose a review of current legislation to the cabinet next week.
The prime minister said that both the government and Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd have requested further discussions to seek a resolution to the matter.
Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh ordered the government to transfer proprietorship and possession of the land back to Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd.
This decision reinforces a 2009 ruling from the same court, which found that the government’s acquisition of the land was unlawful and that it had been wrongfully possessed ever since.
In response to the ruling, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) announced that the government would be challenging the high court’s decision in a statement on August 7.
“The AGC acting on behalf of the Federal Territories Land Registrar will file a challenge to the Court of Appeal and seek a stay of execution against the high court decision,” the statement read. – August 9, 2024