Sarawak to table new Native Courts Bill in next DUS sitting as part of major overhaul of Bumiputera justice system

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, May 22: The Sarawak government is set to introduce a new Native Courts Bill following the completion of a comprehensive restructuring study aimed at elevating the status and professionalism of the Native Courts of Sarawak.

Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Law and Customs) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat said the study, which began in 2020, was completed in February 2023, and its final report was tabled to the Sarawak Cabinet in July last year.

The Cabinet, he said, has in principle approved the “Masterplan for the Transformation of the Native Courts of Sarawak”, which includes proposals to repeal the existing Native Courts Ordinance 1992 and replace it with a new Native Courts Ordinance.

“Therefore, a new bill on Native Courts will be drafted and tabled in the next Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting,” he said when replying to John Ilus (PBB–Bukit Semuja) during the question-and-answer session in the august House today.

In addition to the new bill, Jefferson said the Sarawak government also plans to introduce two other related bills: the Native Courts Judges Appointment Council Bill and the Native Courts Judges Remuneration Bill.

Amendments will also be made to the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak Ordinance 1977 to support the transformation.

The restructured court system will include four levels: the Native Magistrates’ Court, Native High Court, Native Court of Appeal, and Native Supreme Court. These courts will be presided over by qualified magistrates and judges trained in legal matters, thus aligning the Native Courts with the standards of the Civil and Syariah Courts.

In response to a supplementary question, Jefferson said the transformation will result in administrative changes, including the formation of a new Office of the Chief Registrar and adjustments in human resource requirements.

He confirmed that the new hierarchy will streamline the system into two tiers—Lower and High Native Courts.

It will also establish a central headquarters in Kuching and regional centres in Samarahan, Sibu, and Miri. — DayakDaily

Advertisement