KUCHING, Jan 20: The state government will deliberate the 156 resolutions forwarded by the 7th Sarawak Cultural Symposium.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg acknowledged the resolutions and gave assurance that the state government will look seriously into them immediately.
“I was informed that there are a total of 156 resolutions in this 7th Sarawak Cultural Symposium. They are something to do with customs, cultural issues, also some on improvement and how to manage these issues.
“To this I can assure you that we are taking these resolutions to be deliberated professionally,” he said during the closing dinner of the symposium here on Sunday (Jan 20, 2019).
Abang Johari also highlighted an effort by the state government related to an item from the resolutions was for the Native Court in the state to be equivalent to the Syariah Court and Civil Court.
He said he had directed the Native Court, which is currently under the Chief Minister’s Department, to come up with a study on how to upgrade its status.
“Now it is being studied because this involves legal experts and also the inclusion of our ‘adat’ laws. This will be beneficial to the native community of Sarawak especially with issues involving ‘tanah adat’,” he said.
Abang Johari also pointed out that the magistrate of the Native Court would have to be very well versed with the customs and common laws of the natives of Sarawak, because it would not be the same as natives from Sabah or other states in Malaysia.
“I think it’s good that a study is being undertaken to find resolutions to this and I have asked Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and the Native Court to study this proposal (resolution),” he said.
Meanwhile, Uggah assured that the state government will work on refining the resolutions and forward them to the relevant ministries and agencies to be followed up.
He said he will ensure that there will be communication between the symposium’s secretariat and the various government agencies on feedback.
“However as many of these resolutions may require policy change, it will take time.
“Therefore we seek your kind understanding and patience on the outcome of these resolutions,” urged Uggah. — DayakDaily
