The Sabah Government needs to conduct an in-depth study on a proposal to set up a native court department before making a decision, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said. In this respect, he said he would assign state local government and housing ministry Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor to look into the matter and make a recommendation to the state cabinet for approval. He was speaking to reporters after launching the Consumer Club of the Consumer Affairs and Community Development here Monday.

Last week, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum was quoted as saying that it was timely for the native court judiciary to be formalised into a department and recognised as part of the judicial system in Sabah. Malanjum opined that with the establishment of the department, it would have a proper administration and annual budget, similar to that of other judiciaries in Sabah.

In acknowledging the importance and relevancy of a native court in the state, Musa said there might still be a need to improve the native court judiciary system to ensure its effectiveness in dispensing justice for the Sabah natives.

July 12, 2010 15:06 PM

KOTA KINABALU, July 12

BERNAMA

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