KUCHING, Jan 23: Sarawak advocate and solicitor Abun Sui Anyit proposes that the Native Courts of Sarawak to be made an independent body and not placed under the Chief Minister’s Department.
He said there must be separation of powers between the Judiciary, Parliament and Executive in Sarawak.
“With Article 1(2) of Federal Constitution being amended on Dec 14, 2021 regarding Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sarawak and Sabah are recognised as equal partners to Peninsular Malaysia.
“The Native Court now is under Chief Minister’s Department (Executive) led by Minister Datuk John Sikie Tayai with Jefferson Jamit Unyat as his deputy in charge of Native Law and Custom,” he said in a statement today.
Abun who is the Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information chief also proposed Native Court Ordinance 1992 and Native Court Rules 1993 be reviewed or amended to increase the allowances of Court Officers and presiding officers and make sure the Native Court officers are qualified and just.
“Most importantly, the Native Court must be made independent on its own without being controlled by the Executive (Chief Minister of Sarawak),” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
