Who is Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd and what is their claim?

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Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd Claims Beneficial Interest in Disputed Kuala Lumpur Land

Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd is a company asserting beneficial ownership over 263.272 acres of land in Mukim Batu, Kuala Lumpur. The company's claim stems from an alleged unauthorised land seizure by the government in 2003, which they argue constitutes encroachment. A previous High Court ruling in 2009 affirmed that Semantan Estate retained beneficial interest in the land, which had been unlawfully possessed by the government.
Land Ownership Dispute and Government Appeal

The government has formally lodged an appeal against a High Court order mandating the transfer of the 263.272-acre parcel, situated in the prime "Duta enclave" area, to Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd. This land currently hosts several significant government facilities, including the National Hockey Stadium, the Malaysian Institute of Integrity, the National Archives, the Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court, the Inland Revenue Board building, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Academy. The Attorney General’s Chambers filed the notice of appeal on behalf of the Registrar of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land.
Legal Basis of Semantan Estate's Claim

Semantan Estate's legal contention is rooted in a 2003 lawsuit alleging encroachment following an unauthorised seizure of the land. In 2009, a Judicial Commissioner ruled that Semantan Estate retained its beneficial interest in the 263.27-acre property, which was found to be in unlawful possession by the government and subjected to trespass. This judgment formed the basis for Semantan Estate's subsequent legal actions to enforce their rights.
Enforcement of Previous Judgments

To enforce the 2009 High Court judgment, Semantan Estate initiated a lawsuit against the Registrar of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land in February 2017. The High Court judge, Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh, had ordered the government to transfer the land within three months, finalise all transfer documentation, and issue ownership documents free from encumbrances, while also awarding costs of RM50,000 to Semantan Estate. The court had previously dismissed the government's application for a stay of execution related to a proposed settlement.
Government's Repeated Legal Challenges

The government has pursued multiple avenues to contest the rulings in favour of Semantan Estate. Following the 2009 decision, the government filed an appeal that was struck out on May 18, 2012. Subsequently, the Federal Court denied the government's application for leave to appeal that decision on November 21, 2012, and once again dismissed a government application to review its previous ruling in 2018. Despite these previous setbacks and a proposed settlement, the government has now filed a fresh appeal against the High Court's order for the land transfer.

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Who is Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd and what is their claim?

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