A total of 841 appeal cases involving disputes over indigenous land ownership have been registered in the Sarawak Bumiputera court as of April 30, said Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat.
The Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Bumiputera Laws and Customs) said of the total, 68 per cent (573 cases) have been resolved while the remaining 268 cases are still pending.
In light of this, he pointed out that it is rather difficult for the Bumiputera Court to set a timeframe for resolving disputes over indigenous land ownership rights, especially if there are appeals to the Resident’s Native Court and the Native Court of Appeal.
“This is because each case depends on its own facts and circumstances, as well as the behaviour of the parties involved, including the lawyers appointed to represent any party involved.
“After all, based on the procedures in Native Courts Rules 1993, a certain case will take more than six months to resolve and this period might include if there is appeal towards the case while the appeal for the case to the Resident’s Native Court takes within one month before the decision is made,” he said.
He said this in response to a question by John Ilus (GPS-Bukit Semuja) during the fourth day of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today (May 9).
Nevertheless, he added, the appeals by way of petition for review of decisions by the Resident Native Court can be made to the Native Court of Appeal if the plaintiff or defendant is dissatisfied with the decision.
