Individual who made US$127.6 million claim on Keppel unit’s Jakarta land further appeals court decision

[SINGAPORE] A legal dispute over the ownership of land plots in Jakarta, involving a Keppel unit and an individual seeking a 2.28 trillion rupiah (US$127.6 million) claim, is now heading to Indonesia’s highest court.

In an announcement on Saturday (Jun 27), Keppel provided an update that the claimant, Tumpal Hutabarat, has filed a further appeal, known as a cassation, against a recent ruling.

The cassation was filed to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia via the South Jakarta District Court.

This latest appeal follows two consecutive legal victories for Keppel earlier this year.

The South Jakarta District Court initially ruled the lawsuit inadmissible in February 2026 and ordered Hutabarat to pay court costs.

The claimant appealed that decision, but the High Court of DKI Jakarta affirmed the lower court’s ruling in May 2026, similarly finding the lawsuit to be inadmissible. The High Court also ordered the claimant to pay court costs.

Hutabarat had alleged ownership rights to land in Jakarta owned by Keppel’s wholly owned subsidiary, Kepland Investama. He commenced civil action against the unit and other parties, seeking compensation.

Besides compensation, he also sought a declaration of his status as the legal owner of the disputed land plots and a return of any unused land.

His claim was premised on his possession of a document known as a “girik”, which he obtained sometime around 1954, said Keppel, adding that possession of such a document is not considered proof of land ownership under Indonesian Agrarian Law.

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Individual who made 2.28 trillion rupiah claim on Keppel unit’s Jakarta land appeals court decision

The company said that it does not expect this new cassation appeal to have any material impact on its operations or overall financial performance.

“KepLand’s Indonesian counsel maintains its opinion that Kepland’s land certificates are the strongest proof of ownership in accordance with Indonesian Agrarian Law,” Keppel said in its filing.

It added that it will continue to keep shareholders updated on material developments in relation to the ongoing court proceedings as appropriate.

Shares of Keppel ended at S$11.06 on Friday, S$0.17 or 1.5 per cent lower.