The government paid RM1,390,602.70 in 1956 to Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd for 263.272 acres of land acquired in the Duta Enclave area [1, 2, 3].
On September 1, government valuer Tan Tat Khuan testified before the High Court that this compensation was more than adequate for the land involved [1, 2, 3]. Based on his valuation using comparable freehold agricultural land sales from 1955 to 1956, he put the fair market value at RM875,000 [1, 2, 3]. Tan noted that the paid compensation exceeded this figure by a wide margin [1, 2, 3].
His valuation considered multiple factors including time, location, size, shape, accessibility, and development potential. He referenced a comparable freehold agricultural land plot, Lot 1348 in Mukim Kuala Lumpur, to support his assessment [2, 3]. Tan also explained that the Malayan dollar valuation symbol "$" used in 1956 was equivalent to the Malaysian ringgit, ensuring clarity on currency value [2, 3].
Tan criticized the plaintiff’s valuer, Foo Gee Jen, for relying on residential bungalow lots as comparables, including transactions occurring after the official valuation date of December 3, 1956, which violated the Land Acquisition Act 1960 [1, 2, 3]. "I consider the private valuation not feasible and does not have a strong basis as three of the compared valuations, or comparables, are bungalow lots that were acquired after the acquisition date on Dec 3, 1956," Tan said [1].
He summarized his position by stating, "Therefore, in my view, the compensation already paid to the plaintiff was more than adequate, and no additional compensation ought to be considered by the court" [2].
The December 3, 1956, valuation date was fixed as the reference point for assessing compensation in this case [2, 3].
The government’s payment and expert valuation will be scrutinized further as the hearing continues.
