Kuala lumpur: The government today challenged the RM6,000-per-acre rate used by a licensed property valuer for assessing land in Duta Enclave in 1956, highlighting that several comparable transactions within the valuer's report were valued below this rate.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Senior Federal Counsel Nurhafizza Azizan raised this issue while cross-examining Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd's valuer, Foo Gee Jen, during a compensation assessment hearing before High Court Judge Roslan Mat Nor. Nurhafizza pointed to comparable transactions in Foo's report, including bungalow plots in Bukit Tunku, which were considered in evaluating the 1956 market value of the 263.272-acre parcel in Mukim Batu.

Foo, serving as the plaintiff's witness, disagreed with Nurhafizza's assertion that his RM6,000-per-acre rate was excessive and unsupported by documentary evidence or the government's valuation reports. He also rejected the characterization of Duta Enclave as agricultural land but admitted having no records proving otherwise.

In his witness statement, Foo explained that his assessment included the market value of the property and damages due to severance and injurious affection. This assessment followed the Court of Appeal's June 24, 2025, order mandating the compensation assessment under the Land Acquisition Act 1960. The hearing is set to continue on September 1.

On November 13, 2025, the Federal Court dismissed Semantan Estate's bid to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision, which ruled that the Federal Territory Land Titles Registrar need not register the 263.272 acres of Duta Enclave land under the company's name. Consequently, the Court of Appeal's ruling favoring the government remains effective, leading to the High Court's current damages assessment hearing.

The disputed land in the high-profile Duta Enclave includes government buildings such as the National Hockey Stadium and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Academy. Semantan Estate's legal battle began in 2003, claiming illegal acquisition by the government. In 2009, Judicial Commissioner Zura Yahya ruled in favor of Semantan Estate, acknowledging the company's beneficial interest in the land.