PM to propose law review after court orders transfer of ‘Duta enclave’ land to firm

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said a review of the laws is necessary because the legal principles as decided by the court could create chaos over land issues. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today he will propose a review of the laws to the Cabinet following a High Court order to transfer 106ha of land in Batu, Kuala Lumpur, to Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd.

While Putrajaya respects the court’s decision, he said, there were concerns about the “very serious” implications this ruling could have for the country.

“The judge may be bound by the existing law. So, I will propose to the Cabinet to review this law because if this principle is applied, what happens to all the other land previously acquired from the people?” he told reporters after attending a Leadership Discourse Program in Kuala Lumpur today.

“If we continue using the current legal principles as decided by the court, it would create chaos in the country. That’s why a careful review is necessary.”

However, he did not specify what laws should be reviewed.

Yesterday, the government filed an appeal against the High Court’s order on the transfer of land to Semantan Estate.

The disputed land, located in the prime Jalan Duta area known as the Duta enclave, houses government buildings that include the National Archives, the KL shariah court, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Academy and the Inland Revenue Board building.

High Court judge Ahmad Shahrir Salleh ordered the government to transfer the land to Semantan Estate after allowing the company’s originating summons against the Kuala Lumpur land registry.

The court also dismissed the government’s application for a stay of execution pending its proposed settlement of the land dispute.

Shahrir ordered the Kuala Lumpur land registry to fulfill the required conditions within three months from yesterday and also instructed the government to pay costs of RM50,000.