A STUDY to structure and upgrade the Native Court is now in the final stages.
Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department (Native Law and Customs) Jefferson Jamit Unyat said the purpose of this study is to prepare a master plan to transform the Sarawak Native Court into an independent and autonomous judicial institution such as the Civil Court and the Syariah Court.
“Currently the study is in the final stages, the Sarawak government is in the process of reviewing the recommendations made by the consultants,” he said.
He said this in reply to John Ilus (GPS-Murum) on whether there are plans for the state government to upgrade and enhance the status of the Native Court so that it is on par with the other courts in the state during the question and answer session at the DUN sitting on Monday (May 23).
Jefferson speaks at the august House during the question-and-answer session.
To a supplementary question on what comes next after the study is done, he said that after the final report has been received from the consultant and approval from the Technical and Steering Committee is obtained, the government will present the proposal to the State Cabinet for consideration and approval.
“Recommendations involving the relevant Bill will be tabled in the DUN, and implementation of a transformation of the Sarawak Native Court is expected to be done by the state government by 2023,” he said.
To other supplementary questions, he said that there are plans to set up the Sarawak Court Office and Regional Centre.
“The Sarawak Court Office and Regional Center in Kuching will cover Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions; the Regional Office in Sibu will cover Sibu, Mukah, and Sarikei Division; and Regional Office in Miri will cover Miri and Limbang Division.
“As for the establishment of the District Magistrate Court Centre, one each will be set up in Betong Division, Kapit Division and Bintulu Division,” he said.
