LABUAN – A special law will be enacted for the native court system in Labuan, said federal minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
Armizan, who is minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak affairs and special functions), said the act would become a specific law on the legislative process of the native courts on the island.
He said there was a need for a new law because Labuan has been using Sabah’s Native Courts Enactment.
“In addition to improving the judicial system, the new law is established specifically to handle various cases related to (non-Muslim) Bumiputera customs in Labuan.
“The initial process to formulate this act has been started with the cooperation of the Sabah Attorney-General’s Chambers and further efforts will be expedited through consultation with various parties including the legal advisor’s office and certain universities that have expertise in this matter,” he told reporters after attending a briefing on the structuring of the Labuan native courts today.
The Labuan native courts, previously under the purview of the Federal Territories Ministry, are now placed under the Prime Minister’s Department following the formation of the unity government cabinet.
Armizan said that the process of establishing the native courts law would be implemented with the formation of the new act.
“We hope that with the existence of this special law, it will also be a manifestation for certain Bumiputera to refer to their marriage registration, citizenship certificates, in addition to issues related to citizenship privileges,” he said.
Armizan is in Labuan for a two-day working visit. – Bernama, May 6, 2023
