A NATIVE Court in Papar, Sabah has imposed a "sogit" (penalty) of three whole buffaloes and RM3,000 on a high-ranking civil servant for interfering with a married woman.
Borneo Post reported that the defendant, who holds a Datuk title must pay the plaintiff, who is also a Datuk, within a month from October 23, 2024.
Papar Native Court District Chief OKK Alexander Malianus said the court decided that the defendant was found guilty of violating the customs of the Kadazandusun people in Papar for interfering with the plaintiff’s wife.
Alexander said the plaintiff had submitted two pages of complaints dated August 9, 2024, as proof, together with 10 pieces of photographs and a few WhatsApp screenshots in addition to the explanation.
The screenshots included the handphone number, with six screenshots dated Jan 24, 2024, 11 dated Feb 25, 2024, two dated Feb 27, 2024, and 53 dated March 3, 2024, he said.
Aside from that, the documents also included proof of lodging at Deluxe Rail Suite Aeropod from May 31 to June 1, 2024, bearing the booking ID of 1248860800, he said.
The defendant submitted a two-page document during mediation as part of his defence.
The defendant was charged under Part III Section 8(1) of the Papar District Kadazandusun Race Customary Tradition.
Alexander also said that parties who are not satisfied with the decision are allowed to file their plea to the District Native Court within 60 days from the date of the court decision.
The plaintiff, meanwhile, said that the Native Court’s decision served as a significant reminder for other Kadazandusun couples to uphold respect for the sanctity of marriage. - October 24, 2024
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