State govt to conduct comprehensive study to elevate Native Courts

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has decided to undertake a comprehensive study to ultimately restructure and elevate the status of Native Courts to be an independent and autonomous judicial system like the Syariah and Civil Courts.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the government is in the process of appointing a consultant to undertake the study which will cover various aspects of the Native Court such as its structure and organisation, operation and management, special jurisdiction and amendments to the existing Native Courts Ordinance 1992.

“The outcome and deliverable of the study will be a masterplan and recommended action plans on the restructuring and elevation of current Native Courts of Sarawak particularly in terms of its organisational structure and manpower, special powers and jurisdiction with regards to native customary land, laws and customs and organisational capacity and computerisation of the Native Courts system,” he said, adding that the study will take nine months to complete.

Speaking at the final day of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday, Uggah explained that Native Courts in Sarawak come under the direct supervision and coordination of the Chief Registrar Office, a unit under the Chief Minister’s Department which came into being in June 1993 under the provisions of the Native Courts Ordinance 1992.

“After more than 26 years in existence and due to the various challenges in meeting the expectations from the rakyat for fast and efficient service delivery, a proper review of the operations of the Chief Registrar Office namely as just a unit in the Chief Minister’s Department is both timely and necessary.”

The Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister pointed out that Sarawak is therefore very fortunate and most thankful to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for recognising and according due importance to the Native Courts in the administration of justice pertaining to disputes over NCR land and the ‘adat’ amongst the natives.