By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 22: Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak (MAIS), also known as the Council for Native Customs and Traditions, is in the process of drafting its proposal to establish another entity to take up some of its functions and duties.
Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai said the new entity would be known as the Institute of Adat Istiadat Sarawak or an agency by any other name through a new MAIS Ordinance.
He said the agency would be similar to an institution of higher learning where research and teaching of Adat can be conducted apart from having a department or branch managing the cultural and traditional events as well as exploring possibilities of involvement in commercial enterprise or ventures to finance some of its functions and duties.
“The details of the proposal and the Bill might be revealed and tabled in the next Dewan meeting,” he said when presenting his ministerial winding-up speech at Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
MAIS was first established in 1972 to oversee and manage the preservation, promotion and propagation of Adat of the natives of Sarawak before it was established as a unit in the Chief Minister’s Department on April 1, 1974.
The passing of the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak Ordinance 1977 legally entrenched the establishment of MAIS as a body to advise the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Head of State) and Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri (Sarawak Cabinet) on all matters pertaining to the native system of personal law and adat in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
