KOTA KINABALU:The Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) has commended Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor and the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government for undertaking comprehensive reforms to strengthen and elevate the status of Native Courts in Sabah.
Its secretary-general, Datuk Suman Yasambun, said the state government’s decision to table the Native Courts Bill 2026, which was passed by the State Legislative Assembly in July, reflected the Chief Minister’s commitment to strengthening the native judicial system and ensuring that customary laws continued to be respected and upheld.
“This is a timely move and an important milestone in strengthening the Native Courts to ensure they remain relevant in changing times.
“By elevating the status of the Native Courts, the state government has demonstrated its recognition of the importance of customary laws and traditional institutions as part of Sabah’s judicial system,” he said in a statement today.
Yasambun said the reforms were also in line with KDCA’s longstanding goals and efforts to protect the rights, interests, identity and dignity of Sabah’s native communities.
“KDCA has always maintained that efforts to uplift native communities must also include strengthening the institutions that safeguard their customary rights, traditions and way of life.
“The Native Courts are among the most important of these institutions, providing a judicial platform for the administration of justice based on customary laws while protecting native customs and traditions passed down through generations.
“Strengthening the Native Courts is therefore not merely about modernising their administration, but also about giving greater recognition, respect and dignity to native communities and their customary legal systems,” he said.
Yasambun said KDCA welcomed the restructuring of the Native Courts into a more comprehensive judicial system comprising the District Native Courts, Native High Court and Native Court of Appeal.
He said the creation of judicial positions, merit-based appointments and improvements to court facilities would help enhance the professionalism, credibility and effectiveness of the institution.
“We want to see the Native Courts develop into a strong, independent, respected and credible institution capable of administering justice based on customary laws fairly and effectively, while preserving the unique customs and traditions of Sabah’s indigenous communities,” he said.
Yasambun said strengthening the native judicial system would also help ensure that younger generations continued to appreciate the importance of customary laws and traditional institutions in shaping their identity and heritage.
He said KDCA would continue to advocate for broader recognition of native rights, the preservation of indigenous languages and cultures, and the strengthening of institutions that safeguard the interests of native communities.
He added that KDCA was ready to work closely with the state government and relevant stakeholders to further strengthen the Native Courts and champion the interests and aspirations of Sabah’s native communities.-pr/BNN
