SelProp sues to quash MRT land acquisition

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Properties Bhd (SelProp) has taken legal action in a bid to quash the compulsory acquisition of parts of its land in Damansara Heights which have been earmarked for the mass rapid transit (MRT) project.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, Sel Prop said its wholly-owned subsidiary Bungsar Hill Holdings Sdn Bhd (BHH) was objecting to the proposed acquisition of some 22,451 sq m of land and was seeking a judicial review of the government’s decision to acquire the land. BHH is pursuing a judicial review for an order of certiorari to quash the notices of acquisition, it said.

The leave application is to first seek permission from the court to initiate a judicial review of the government’s decision to acquire Sel Prop’s land.

The court has fixed June 21 for mention of the leave application, SelProp said.

As the registered owner of the land, BHH had on Jan 10 received the notices of acquisition from the government informing it of the intention to acquire parts of the land held under four different titles.

The total land area to be acquired under the Land Acquisition Act 1960 was 22,451.92 sq m.

In the meantime, SelProp said BHH was in negotiations with the MRT project owner, MRT Corp Sdn Bhd, to reduce and/or avoid the proposed land acquisition.

In a letter of undertaking and points of agreement dated Feb 28, SelProp said BHH and MRT Corp had come to an agreement to reduce the area for the proposed land acquisition in respect of two of the four parcels earmarked for acquisition.

SelProp however did not disclose the revised area for the proposed land acquisition.

Additionally, BHH and MRT Corp had agreed that the proposed land acquisition for one land parcel be withdrawn on the condition that BHH provides the facilities and railway reserve required for the MRT station at Pusat Bandar Damansara.

“This arrangement provided under the points of agreement is not binding on the parties until a definitive agreement is signed by both the parties,” SelProp said.

It said the land acquisition hearing has been postponed to a date to be determined given the arrangements reached by BHH and MRT Corp.

The land acquisition hearing is part of the land acquisition process and is distinct from the judicial review application sought by BHH.