By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, May 12: A new Native Courts Bill aimed at restructuring and transforming Sarawak’s Native Courts system is expected to be tabled in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) soon, says Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Laws and Customs), Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat.
Speaking during the question-and-answer session at DUS today, he said the proposed legislation would introduce changes to both the administrative structure and jurisdiction of the Native Courts in Sarawak.
“Based on this Transformation Masterplan, the Native Courts of Sarawak will amend the Native Courts Ordinance, 1992. To enable this restructuring, the existing Native Courts Ordinance, 1992 must be repealed and replaced with a new Native Courts Ordinance,” he said in response to Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang.
Jamit added that a study on the restructuring and upgrading of the Native Courts system began in 2020 and was completed in February 2023. The final report was subsequently presented to the Sarawak Cabinet (MMKN) in July 2023.
He said the findings of the study, titled “Masterplan for the Transformation of the Native Courts of Sarawak”, have since received approval from MMKN. — DayakDaily
