By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 22: The Sarawak Government is undertaking transformation efforts for the Native Court (Mahkamah Bumiputera) to ensure that the administration of customary law remains relevant, fair, and meets the needs of indigenous communities, as well as ease the administrative processes to ensure every case is handled fairly.
According to a TVS news report, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari said the efforts include a comprehensive study that resulted in the Master Plan for Restructuring and Upgrading the Sarawak Native Court.
“The modernisation of customary law administration should strengthen customs, rather than separate them from the communities that form the foundation of these practices,” he said in a text speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the International Conference on Expanding Horizons of Legal Pluralism here today.
He also pointed out that the transformation of the Native Court covers a review of the court’s organisational structure, operations and management, jurisdiction, and legal framework to ensure the institution receives proper recognition.
“Our goal is clear. We want an institution that earns the public’s confidence, with clear and professional processes, ensuring every case is handled fairly.”
Abang Johari noted that customs have long been central to indigenous communities, guiding community relations, resolving disputes and regulating the use of land and natural resources.
He stressed that customary law must remain a living system while its administration continues to be managed professionally, accessibly and responsively to modern-day challenges.
He also emphasised the importance of involving indigenous communities in shaping institutions concerning their rights, customs and future, alongside support from universities, the judiciary, legal practitioners and community leaders.
The two-day conference, which runs until October 23, is co-organised by the Faculty of Law and the Institute of Borneo Studies at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), the Centre for Legal Pluralism and Indigenous Law at the University of Malaya Faculty of Law, and the Dayak Cultural Foundation.
It brings together academics, judges, legal practitioners, policymakers and community leaders from Malaysia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and Brazil to discuss customary rights, access to justice, environmental governance and indigenous knowledge. – DayakDaily
