Attestations of JPs recognised following circular

KOTA KINABALU: A recent circular from state secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong has clarified that all state-appointed Justices of the Peace (JPs) can make attestations as part of their role, duties and powers.

The letter circulated to all the heads of state and federal departments in Sabah dated Feb 28, said there were reports by the Council of the Justices of the Peace Sabah (MAJAPS) that certain government departments did not accept or have disputed documents verified by JPs.

"With the circular letter issued by the office of the state secretary, it is hoped that all state and federal departments in Sabah will now recognise the certifications and attestations (or signatures) of all state-appointed JPs," said MAJAPS president Datuk Seri Clarence Bongkos Malakun.

In a statement on Friday (March 10), he said the council recently paid a courtesy call to Safar in his office, to thank him for his assistance.

The circular had quoted Section 99 of Subordinate Courts Act 1948 (Act 92) and Modification of Laws (Subordinate Court) 1980 to make clarifications on the powers of the state-appointed JPs.

Under Section 99, it said that the state authority may appoint such persons deemed fit to be JPs, where the latter should exercise such duties conferred or imposed upon them by any written law.

"In line with Section 99(2), the minister has given such powers to JPs in Sabah under ‘Peraturan-Peraturan Mahkamah Rendah (Kuasa-Kuasa Jaksa Pendamai) (Sabah) 1990’.

"Every JP shall be authorised and is required to administer oaths and affirmations; to make and receive statutory declarations; and to attest signatures, under any written law or when otherwise required to do so as though such JPs were a Second Class Magistrate," it stated.