Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s Native Courts will be restructured next year following the passage of new enactments aimed at reforming the system, including provisions for the appointment of Native Court Judges said Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr. Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.
He said that the restructuring would involve current customary leaders, with some experienced Native Chiefs expected to take on judicial roles at the district level following training and exposure to the new legal provisions.
“Beginning next year, we will undertake a new restructuring in relation to the implementation of the enactments,” he said in a press conference after officiating the closing ceremony of the Native Court Judicial Workshop Series, at a hotel, here on Wednesday.
Arifin said that the new enactments, which he introduced and passed by the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, include provisions for the reform of Native Courts as well as another that covered District Chiefs, Native Chiefs, and other customary leaders.
He said that the interim implementation would not result in a significant increase in positions, as the new structure would be in the hands of experienced judges and customary leaders.
“For the interim stage, there will not be a major increase in positions. We will involve experienced chief judges and the existing customary chiefs, some of them will become judges in their respective districts,” he saidArifin added that candidates for judicial positions will need expertise in native customs as well as legal knowledge, with additional training provided by customary and legal experts.
He said that the reform would also strengthen the Institut Latihan Mahkamah Anak Negeri (Ilman) as a platform for ongoing training, with the possibility of collaborating with universities to establish certification or diploma programs in customary law related to Native Courts.
Meanwhile, Datuk Maijol Mahap, State Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing, said that the workshop was important in preparing Native Court personnel to understand the new legal framework and their respective responsibilities.
He said that the workshop brought together 43 District Chiefs and over 80 Native Court clerks from across Sabah, as well as guests from the Labuan Native Court, and that participants received briefings on the Native Courts Enactment 2026, which covers District Chiefs, Native Chiefs, and Village Chiefs.
“Sabah’s native community values will place well at the Native Courts. They are more than just institutions that handle customs disputes or cases, they also play a role in preserving the continuity of customs and heritage, as well as ensuring that native community rights are well-respected,” he said.
Maijol said that ongoing training would be necessary to improve the competence and professionalism of those involved in Native Courts, particularly in areas such as legislation, administration, case management, and dispute resolution.
He said the importance of integrity, justice, transparency, and professionalism in Native Court administration, stating that legal knowledge must be combined with an understanding of local customs and culture.
