Native Court, roles of Ketua Adat to be restructured
SANDAKAN: The Native Court and roles of Ketua Adat (custom head) will be restructured, said Law and Native Affairs Minister Datuk Aidi Moktar.
Aidi said the Native Court restructuring would take at least three years, following the addition of positions and laws under the court.
If all goes according to plan, he said the Native Court will be divided into four levels, to include the Native Magistrate Court, the Native High Court, the Native Appeals Court, and the Native Special Appeals Court.
“For this year, the roles of Ketua Adat will also be restructured where they would be assigned to handle financial management of the Native Court, customs and traditions, as well as processing of Native certificate.
“Other than that, the Native Chiefs' representatives will be assigned to the registration and filing section. This (arrangement) is why we are giving priority to retired civil servants in the selection of Ketua Adat,” Aidi said at a press conference after representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal at the presentation of appointment letters to 73 Ketua Adat in Sandakan at Libaran Multipurpose Hall on Saturday.
Seventy-three people received appointment letters for positions of Native Chiefs, Native Chiefs' representatives, Kapitan and village chiefs.
Aidi reminded all Ketua Adat to avoid discrimination, extremism and racism when delivering their service to the local community.
He said that Sabah has various religious beliefs, race and cultures, and Ketua Adat should handle issues properly so that the people would be able to live together in harmony and peace.
Aidi reiterated that there was no bureaucracy involved in the selection of Ketua Adat after the leadership of the State Government has changed.
“There is actually no bureaucracy involved, it is just that in the new government, we are facing various problems that are left behind from the previous government. We also cannot simply eliminate Ketua Adat who were appointed before this. We also have to be considerate and give them respect for they have contributed a lot.
“So, we are not replacing all the Ketua Adat, there are still a lot who would be continuing their service. Those who are still productive and do not have any political stand, I think their position should be maintained and there is no bureaucracy involved in their appointment,” he explained.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law), Datuk Liew Vui Keong; Minister of Health and People's Wellbeing, Datuk Stephen Wong; Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department, Arifin Asgali; Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing, George Hiew Vun Zin; Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports, Arunarnsin Taib; Sabah Native Affairs Council president Datuk Sa'adillah Abdillah, and Sabah Native Affairs Department director Norhayati Haji Abdul Majid.