SIBU: A backlog of 2,713 cases has been recorded at native courts state-wide, said the chief registrar of native courts, Datuk Michael Dawi Alli.
According to him some of these cases date back to as long as six years ago.
“One of the reasons (for the backlog) could be due to demand and the nature of the administrators’ duty, where it could be that they have to focus on other aspects of their jobs,” he said after the opening of the Kapit Division Community Leaders Workshop here yesterday.
“Due to today’s demand, the focus is more towards development and people-based programmes. So, in the end, court affairs could be competing with other duties of the administrators,” he said.
Michael also said that most of the cases recorded had to do with breach of ‘adat’ (customs) and disputes over ownership of NCR (Native Customary Rights) land.
Earlier in his speech, he urged community leaders to join the workshop whenever it is organised as it is important to make sure they are updated on the current situation.
“Some might say that they have been a community leader for years so they need not attend workshops like this anymore. I assure you that this is not true.
“The world keeps changing, we have entered the digital era and everything at the tip of your finger. Hence, we need to cope with the changes especially you as leaders.
“So, through this workshop we can update you on the changes that had happened and teach you personally on the matter as you are the few chosen leaders to lead others,” he said.
