KUCHING, Nov 15: The Advocates Association of Sarawak (AAS) respects the rule of law regarding the decision to move the Sabah and Sarawak High Court Registry from the state capital to Kota Kinabalu effective today.
AAS president Ranbir Singh Sangha said the association have also been notified of the move.
“Our understanding is that the due process of law had taken place and as such, we have to respect the rule of law,” he said in a press statement.
He noted that AAS had written letters to Sarawak chief minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and the State Attorney General’s Chambers expressing its view and opposition to the move.
Ranbir said the association had also attended meetings with the chief minister and State Attorney General’s to reiterate its stand.
“AAS was consulted by the Honourable Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak as well, where the same views were conveyed,” he said.
On Wednesday evening, Abang Johari told reporters that the state government has reached a compromise, where the principal registry will be based between Kuching and Kota Kinabalu on a 10-year rotational basis effective Nov 15, 2019.
On April 19, a circular signed by the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court, Datuk Seri Latifah Mohd Tahar, had stated that the registry would be relocated to Kota Kinabalu on May 1, but it was not carried out as planned following strong objection from the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office.
On April 30, Sarawak DUN unanimously passed the motion to reject the relocation of the principal registry.
A motion to reiterate the Sarawak DUN’s protest against the relocation was rejected at the state assembly sitting on Wednesday (Nov 13) due to technical grounds. — DayakDaily
