News by Hafiz Yatim

The federal government on Thursday disputed Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd’s possession of the 263.72-acre (106.72-hectare) ‘Duta Enclave’ prime land, saying that the company, which is presently under liquidators’ control, is only entitled to monetary compensation based on the Government Proceedings Act 1956 (GPA) and the Specific Relief Act 1950 (SRA).

Following a case management last Friday, the appeal has been fixed for hearing on Thursday at the Court of Appeal (COA) with two other related appeals.

Even if it is against the state's interest, the land title for the Duta enclave — the 263.27-acre (106.54-hectare) land in Mukim Batu that currently hoses various government complexes and facilities — has to be transferred back to Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd as it is the right thing to do, according to the High Court judge who directed that the deed be done.

The Court of Appeal (COA) has allowed on Thursday for a joint hearing of the Federal Territory (FT) Land Registrar’s and Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd’s opposing appeals on the “Duta enclave” issue on Nov 7 this year.

The government is actively negotiating for an amicable solution over the ‘Duta enclave’ conundrum, the court heard on Thursday.

The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land Registrar has been granted a stay by the High Court on Thursday from registering a 263.27-acre plot of land in the ‘Duta enclave’ to the liquidator of Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd.

Country Heights Holdings Bhd (KL:CHHB) on Tuesday (Sept 10) said it has paid the RM425,060 legal fees it owed to law firm Messrs Chellam Wong without any admission of liability.

A three-member Federal Court bench has, on Monday, granted leave to two people representing two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to challenge the degazettement of Bukit Cherakah as a forest reserve for development.

The High Court here has allowed Messrs Chellam Wong to set aside a restraining order obtained by public-listed Country Heights Holdings Bhd (KL:CHHB) for filing a winding-up petition against it (Country Heights) over RM425,060 in unpaid debt since September 2023, over legal services the law firm had provided in relation to the company’s corporate exercise.

Sources contacted by The Edge confirmed that the government has filed the stay application and the High Court has fixed Sept 12 as the hearing date.