Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed the District Chiefs, Native Chiefs and Village Heads Bill 2026, giving the three grassroots leadership institutions their first dedicated legislation.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif (pic) said the enactment establishes a legal framework covering appointments, functions, responsibilities, terms of service, allowances, conduct and accountability.
He said the law replaces reliance on administrative practices and policies while strengthening governance and supporting the State Government's reform of native institutions.
The enactment complements the Native Courts Enactment 2026 by separating judicial functions, which remain with the Native Courts, from the administrative and community leadership roles of district chiefs, native chiefs and village heads.
The eight-clause law empowers the Minister to appoint or remove office holders, determine allowances and benefits, issue directives, and bars them from paid employment or profit-making businesses during their tenure to prevent conflicts of interest.
Current office holders will remain until their appointments expire or are terminated under the new law, which Mohd Arifin said strengthens the institutions' legal standing and governance without affecting their traditional status.
