KUCHING: The Sarawak Government is currently drafting a new Native Courts Bill to enable a comprehensive restructuring of the Sarawak Native Courts.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Law and Native Customs) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat noted that the study to restructure and upgrade the Sarawak Native Courts, which began in 2020, was completed in February 2023 and presented to the State Executive Council (MMKN) in July 2023.

He said the MMKN has essentially approved the findings of the study titled 'Masterplan for the Transformation of the Native Courts of Sarawak,' which will see the Sarawak Native Courts making amendments to 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“To enable this restructuring, the existing Native Courts Ordinance, 1992 must be repealed and replaced with a new Native Courts Ordinance.

“Therefore, a Native Courts Bill is being drafted and will be tabled in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly,” he said while responding to a query from Pelagus Assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang during the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Tuesday.

He further added that the restructuring of the Sarawak Native Courts under the new Bill will involve changes in the administrative structure as well as the court's jurisdiction.

In the meantime, Datuk Jefferson informed that a total of 4,755 cases involving native customary land disputes have been registered with the Sarawak Native Courts as of May 1.

These cases are heard across three levels: the District Native Court, the Resident's Native Court, and the Native Court of Appeal.

He explained that the current status of pending registered cases involves 1,316 cases at the District Native Court level, 187 cases at the Resident's Native Court level, and 92 cases at the Native Court of Appeal level.

He stated that the Sarawak Native Courts have implemented various strategic and continuous measures to expedite the resolution of registered cases.

Among the key measures is the implementation of the Capacity Building Programme (CBP) involving administrative officers, court clerks, and process servers.

This programme has been carried out in Sri Aman and Sibu (involving participants from the Kapit division), with 40 participants as of April 30.

Additionally, he mentioned that the Sarawak Native Courts have conducted Engagement and Dialogue Sessions at the district level to provide direct guidance to court clerks, process servers, and Community Leaders and Village Chiefs (KMKK).

These programmes have been implemented in Selangau, Sibu, and Limbang, involving 70 participants as of April 30. — UKASnews

Prepared By: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photos By: Hazrin Sunaini
Translator: Ryan Lim