Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (April 30): Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) has confirmed a report in The Edge Financial Daily today that it has commenced judicial review proceedings over the compulsory acquisition of its land in Merlimau, Melaka by a Taiwan-controlled company.

"The company is seeking, among others, the orders of certiorari and mandamus to nullify the compulsory acquisition, and declaratory relief that the Land Acquisition Act 1960 cannot be abused to compulsorily acquire land belonging to the company for the benefit of a foreign-owned company, GI A Resources Sdn Bhd," SDP said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia.

SDP said the judicial review application filed yesterday names the Melaka state land and mines director, Jasin district land administrator, Melaka state government and GI A Resources as respondents.

"The company is advised by its solicitors that it has strong grounds for this action to protect its assets," added the plantation giant.

The Edge Financial Daily, in its report, quoted an affidavit filed in support of the judicial review as saying that GI A Resources had claimed to represent the interests of the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, in seeking to compel SDP to sell the 75ha land at a below market value price of RM35.282 million.

According to the affidavit, signed by SDP head of land management unit Mohd Razlan Mohd Rahim, GI A Resources failed to clearly state the purpose of the acquisition, mentioning only that it would be used for a proposed "Bandar Pendidikan Bestari" mixed development.

SDP claimed it had written to Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari several times — specifically on Oct 29, Nov 13, and March 25 this year — to appeal against the state-compelled acquisition. But there has been no reply from Adly's office.

GI A Resources is a company incorporated in Malaysia but is 70%-owned by Xinzhongwei Capital Holdings Sdn Bhd, which is in turn 98%-controlled by Taiwan.

SDP's share price was down two sen at RM5.13 as at 3.42pm, giving the group a market value of RM35.32 billion.

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