BAYU SEMPURNA SDN. BHD. v 1. ) PANG CHEE HUN @ PHANG CHEE HUN 2. ) LIEW SHIN LIAN 3. ) CHAI NYUK JIN 4. ) MERCES BUILDERS (S) SDN. BHD. (IN LIQUIDATION) 5. ) LAND CUSTODY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

q-02ncvcw-1365-08-2023 Court of Appeal (Mahkamah Rayuan) 8 January 2026 • Q-02(NCvC)(W)-1365-08/2023 • 21 min read

9 cases cited (0 SG, 9 foreign)

Catchwords

Whether the original purchasers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Respondents) or the subsequent purchaser (Bayu Sempurna Sdn Bhd) of the subject properties has better title - developer/1st Defendant in liquidation - constructive trusts - whether purchase price must be paid in full - laches - limitation - cross-appeals.

Practice Areas

Whether the original purchasers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Respondents) or the subsequent purchaser (Bayu Sempurna Sdn Bhd) of the subject properties has better title

Judges (3)

Azman bin Abdullah Coram Azmi bin Ariffin Coram Lim Hock Leng Delivered

Counsel (10)

Alvin Yong Advocates Kuching Firm Andy and Associates Firm Wung & Co., Kuching Firm Alvin Yong Sze Lung Counsel Appellant Anastasia Chin Mengxing Counsel Respondent Andy Tan Tung Sii Counsel Respondent James Lo Kuin Chuan Counsel Respondent Liew Sheau Kie Counsel Respondent Nicholas Wung Duk Ying Counsel Respondent Shirleen Ong Counsel Appellant

Parties (6)

BAYU SEMPURNA Sdn Bhd Appellant LAND CUSTODY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Respondent MERCES BUILDERS Sdn Bhd. (IN LIQUIDATION) Respondent Chai Nyuk Jin Respondent Liew Shin Lian Respondent Pang Chee Hun @ Phang Chee Hun Respondent

Case Significance

BAYU SEMPURNA SDN. BHD. v 1. ) PANG CHEE HUN @ PHANG CHEE HUN 2. ) LIEW SHIN ... is a Court of Appeal (Mahkamah Rayuan) decision dated January 8, 2026 (citation: q-02ncvcw-1365-08-2023). <p>Bayu Sempurna, a subsequent purchaser, appealed against the High Court's decision favouring original purchasers who held constructive trust interests in properties from a developer now in liquidation. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal with RM50,000 costs, finding the High Court correctly applied constructive trust principles to protect the original purchasers' beneficial interests.</p> The panel comprised Azman bin Abdullah, Azmi bin Ariffin and Lim Hock Leng, with Lim Hock Leng delivering the judgment.

Summary

Bayu Sempurna, a subsequent purchaser, appealed against the High Court's decision favouring original purchasers who held constructive trust interests in properties from a developer now in liquidation. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal with RM50,000 costs, finding the High Court correctly applied constructive trust principles to protect the original purchasers' beneficial interests.

What was the outcome of BAYU SEMPURNA SDN. BHD. v 1. ) PANG CHEE HUN @ PHANG CHEE HUN 2. ) LIEW SHIN ...?

<p>Bayu Sempurna, a subsequent purchaser, appealed against the High Court's decision favouring original purchasers who held constructive trust interes...

Statutes Cited

Courts of Judicature Act 1964 (Cap 91)

s 69

Evidence Act 1950 (Cap 56)

s 32 s 73A(2)

Limitation Ordinance

s 3

Cases Cited (9)

UK (1)

[1957] 1 WLR 31

MY (8)

[1995] 3 CLJ 639 [2010] 1 CLJ 381 [2011] 5 CLJ 136 [2016] 2 CLJ 885 [2016] 3 CLJ 193 [2016] 8 CLJ 149 [2020] 1 CLJ 776 [2021] MLJU 127