KUCHING, Nov 27: The proposal to upgrade of the Native Courts is slated to be tabled during the forthcoming 2024 session of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
Minister in the Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai highlighted that the Master Plan proposes restructuring the existing Native Courts under the Premier’s Department into an independent and autonomous judiciary body.
“The functions, powers, and jurisdiction of the new Native Courts will be outlined in the proposed new Native Courts Bill.
“At this point, our goal is to present the proposed new Native Courts Bill at the upcoming session,” he said during his winding-up speech at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) here, today.
The changes to the Native Courts will involve restructuring the hierarchy and organisational structure of the existing native court system from six layers to four layers, consisting of the Native Magistrates Court and the Native High Court.
“To implement these changes, the government, through the Master Plan, recommends the repeal of the Native Courts Ordinance 1992 and Native Courts Rules 1993, and the enactment of the new Native Courts Ordinance and new Native Courts Rules,” he said. – TVS
