Native Court Judicial Department by 2024

The proposed Sabah Native Court Judicial Department will be set up by 2024 and it will empower the Native Courts to be at par with the Civil Courts and Syariah Courts. A special committee will formulate, amend and revise related enactments and ordinances.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said that the Sabah Native Court Judicial Department is a transformation to dignify the Native laws and giving a prestige image to the Ketua Adat (customary chiefs) in our legal system. The Ketua Adat has a responsibility to enhance social prosperity and native customs, he said. The Ketua Adat plays a strategic role in guiding, supporting, and encouraging the local community to contribute to the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya agenda, Hajiji added. A total of 258 Ketua Adat comprising three District Chiefs, 20 Native Chiefs, 40 Native Chief Representatives, 194 village heads and a Kapitan from Pantai Dalit, Sulaman, Tamparuli and Kiulu participated in the course.

"We must ensure that the State Native Customary Laws continue to be adhered and respected."