On 17 February 2025, the Kelantan State Bar Committee held its inaugural Kelantan Bar Civil Law Conference 2025, bringing together esteemed legal practitioners to share their expertise on civil law practice areas which are of particular interest to Kelantan practitioners. Our Senior Partner, Kok Su Ann, was invited as one of 5 speakers at the event. She delivered an insightful session on Understanding Valuation Reports in Land Acquisition Matters and provided attendees with a practical and comprehensive analysis of how Valuation Reports are to be understood and offering perspectives in navigating land acquisitions effectively.

The session began with an overview of Land Reference and the significance of valuation reports in such matters. Kok Su Ann emphasized that the primary purpose of these reports is to outline the compensation claims, primarily the Market Value of the land, which forms the cornerstone of any compensation claim. She highlighted the compulsory components of a valuation report, as outlined in the Malaysian Valuation Standards (MVS), including the valuation date, opinions of value, map or plan reading as well as the practical use of photographs or other visual aids. She also explained the different types of claims landowners may pursue, with a particular focus on market value and how it is derived through various valuation methods. Amongst these, the Market/Comparison Approach was noted as one of the most reliable methods for determining fair compensation.

Kok Su Ann further enriched the discussion by delving into landmark Federal Court decisions that have shaped the principles of land valuation in Malaysia. Cases such as Semenyih Jaya Sdn Bhd v Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Hulu Langat and another case [2017] 3 MLJ 561 and Ng Tiou Hong v Collector of Land Revenue, Gombak [1984] 2 MLJ 35 were cited to underscore the importance of considering factors like location, land conditions, restrictions in title, and potential future uses when determining market value. To illustrate these principles in practice, she conducted a case study that demonstrated the relevance of making adjustments to comparables, ensuring that valuations are both fair and accurate.

The session concluded with a discussion on best practices for lawyers and Valuers working on land acquisition cases. Kok Su Ann stressed the importance of collaboration between legal practitioners and Valuers, emphasizing that the mutual interest of the client should always remain paramount. She also shared practical tips on how to handle discrepancies in valuation reports and strategies to overcome the challenges lawyers commonly face.

Final Thoughts 

Overall, the Kelantan Bar Civil Law Conference 2025 proved to be a rewarding experience and a valuable platform for knowledge-sharing and professional growth. The reception from the audience was heartening, with lawyers and practitioners in Kelantan showing exceptional engagement during the Q & A session. Kok Su Ann was pleased to receive valuable feedback on the challenges and concerns faced by practitioners in the region and to share her experience with them. The discussions were both enlightening and fruitful, highlighting the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in this specialized yet crucial area of law.

Acknowledgements: Zain & Co. wishes to thank the Kelantan State Bar Committee for inviting our senior partner, Kok Su Ann to share her insights and our Associate, Mahitra P Subramaniam for the assistance rendered in preparing the slides used for the talk and in preparing this summary.