KOTA KINABALU: A call has been made to ensure that efforts to amend the Native Court Enactment 1992 deliver meaningful reform that upholds the rights and identity of Sabah's indigenous communities.
Welcoming the state government's decision to review the law, Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said reforms must focus on strengthening the Native Court's jurisdiction over customary matters such as inheritance, marriage, and native land.
"The appointments of Native Court chiefs and judges must be carried out transparently, free from political interference, and based on merit as well as a deep understanding of indigenous customs," he said.
Without sufficient budget and support, he warned, any new enactment risks remaining on paper.
"The Native Courts must be equipped with qualified personnel, proper facilities, and ongoing training to function effectively," said Suhaimi.
He added that reform efforts must include open consultations with indigenous community representatives, village chiefs, and grassroots leaders who truly understand the realities on the ground.
He also advised against using the reform as a political tool during festive seasons like Kaamatan, stating that Sabah Umno will closely monitor the process to ensure it benefits the indigenous population and not just serve as political capital.
"Do not change the name and neglect the function," he said.
