‘Real reforms still key to success of Native Courts’

KOTA KINABALU: The move to review the law on the Native Courts should focus on reforming and strengthening its power over customary matters such as inheritance, marriage and native land ownership, says a lawmaker.

In welcoming the state government’s move to amend the Native Court Enactment 1992, Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said any change must go beyond administrative restructuring and deliver meaningful reforms that uphold the rights and identity of Sabah’s indigenous communities.

“The appointment of Native Court chiefs and judges must be carried out transparently, free from political interference, and based on merit as well as deep understanding of indigenous customs,” he said.

Without sufficient budget and support, Suhaimi 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,” he said.

Reform efforts, Suhaimi added, must also include open consultations with indigenous community representatives, village chiefs and grassroots leaders who truly understand the realities on the ground, rather than relying solely on top-level discussions.