Kota Kinabalu: Former President of the Malaysian Bar, Dato Cyrus Das, believes East Malaysia has excelled in handling native affairs compared to West Malaysia.
“Sabah prioritises and safeguards native laws within the State’s legal framework. Recognising and protecting native laws is essential for safeguarding the rights and interests of indigenous communities in Sabah,” he said, highlighting the significant differences in treatment of native laws between Sabah and West Malaysia.
He said West Malaysia only has the Aboriginal People’s Act of 1959 and Article 8 of the Federal Constitution to support positive discrimination for native rights.
“Despite the presence of these legal provisions, challenges persist, especially concerning the lack of gazetting for native lands and ancestral lands,” he said.