Berjaya Hills Resort Bhd (BHRB) has criticised enforcement action taken by Pahang state authorities against parts of its Berjaya Hills properties, as its long-running dispute over sharply higher quit rent moves towards the Federal Court.
In a statement, BHRB said enforcement action began on Sept 28, 2026, affecting areas including staff quarters, its central laundry and other facilities. The company described the action as unreasonable, particularly as its application for leave to appeal remains pending.
The dispute dates back to 2020, when BHRB said its annual quit rent was increased from about RM2.4 million in 2019 to RM33.7 million, before being reduced following several appeals to RM25.75 million a year.
BHRB said it made 11 appeals to the Pahang government between April 2020 and December 2022 and had paid approximately RM42.65 million in quit rent and penalties between 2020 and 2026, while continuing to dispute the revised rates.
The company subsequently commenced judicial review proceedings in April 2023. The Temerloh High Court dismissed the challenge in May 2024, while the Court of Appeal on July 16, 2026 upheld the High Court decision.
The Court of Appeal ruled that the state authority has the power under the National Land Code to determine quit rent rates, while the National Land Council’s role does not extend to approving the specific rates imposed. The Pahang government said at the time that the decision affirmed the legality of its revision exercise.
BHRB filed an application for leave to appeal to the Federal Court on Aug 14, with the hearing scheduled for Dec 8, 2026.
