The Law On Land Acquisition, 2nd Edition

Description

This extensively updated second edition reflects the significant legal developments in land acquisition law in Malaysia since the first edition was published in 2018. With more than 90 new court judgments released in this area, the book provides readers with a deeper and more predictable understanding of how land acquisition disputes are likely to be resolved.

With dedicated chapters on Sabah and Sarawak, the book broadens its scope to more fully represent the legal landscape across Malaysia, aiming to provide clarity and serve as a reliable guide for both legal practitioners and decision-makers. This edition also offers invaluable first-hand insights into the adjudication process, enhancing the analytical depth and practical relevance of the text. Featuring forewords by the sitting and former Chief Justices of Malaysia, this edition reaffirms its status as an indispensable resource for adjudicators, legal practitioners, land administrators, valuers, policymakers, and academics involved in or studying the law of land acquisition.

CONTENTS:
1) INTRODUCTION
2) PRELIMINARY
3) APPLICATION FOR ACQUISITION
4) COMMENCEMENT OF ACQUISITION: STATUTORY NOTICES
5) ENQUIRY
6) TAKING POSSESSION OF LAND
7) PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION
8) EXTENSION TO AND WITHDRAWAL FROM ACQUISITION
9) REFERENCE TO COURT
10) COURT PROCEEDINGS
11) PRINCIPLES FOR DETERMINATION OF COMPENSATION
12) APPORTIONMENT
13) CHALLENGING A LAND ACQUISITION EXERCISE
14) SERVICE OF NOTICES
15) TEMPORARY OCCUPATION OR USE OF LAND
16) ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY PURSUANT TO CERTAIN OTHER SPECIFIC STATUTES
17) LAND ACQUSIITION IN SABAH
18) LAND ACQUISITION IN SARAWAK
Appendix 1: Practice Direction
Appendix 2: Table of Statutes And Offences
Index

About the Authors:

YA Dato Su Tiang Joo was appointed to the Malaysian Judiciary on 1 September 2020 and is a Judge of the High Court in Malaya at Kuala Lumpur. Prior to his elevation, he practised as an Advocate & Solicitor for 36 years, specialising in civil litigation including arbitration, particularly in land-related disputes involving major infrastructure projects such as highways, the LRT and MRT. Dato Su had been recognised among Malaysia’s Top 100 Lawyers and was consistently ranked as a highly recommended lawyer in dispute resolution. He graduated from Manchester Polytechnic in 1982, and was admitted as a Barrister of Gray’s Inn in 1983. He served as a member of the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board and is the serving President of the Malaysian Chapter of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn. He co-authored The Law on Land Acquisition – 1st Edition (2018) and contributed to several international publications, such as Litigation & Dispute Resolution (Global Legal Group, UK, 2012) and The Dispute Resolution Review (Law Business Research, UK, 2014). Since his appointment, he has written over 200 judgments in both civil and criminal law, and on 11 October 2025, he was conferred the Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Sarawak Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (P.S.B.S.) which carries the titles “Dato”.

Pang Kong Leng is a senior litigation lawyer with over 29 years of courtroom experience, specialising in complex, multi-party, and high-stakes corporate and civill disputes. A graduate from the University of Malaya, he was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court in Malaya in 1996. Throughout his career, he has handled a wide range of contentious matters, including shareholder disputes, corporate litigation, tort claims, land fraud, and land acquisition proceedings involving compensation claims exceeding RM100 million. His practice spans domestic and cross-border litigation and arbitration, often involving forensic experts, tax advisors, valuers, and foreign counsel. He is also a prolific legal author and speaker, having written Legal Guide to Civil Appeals Malaysia (CCH Asia Pte Ltd, 2005) and The Law on Land Acquisition – 1st Edition in 2018, and has delivered numerous lectures on land law, civil procedure, and property rights. His motto, “Give your best, live with no regrets”, reflects his professionalism and dedication that underpin his legal practice.