Jurisdiction of the Native Courts in Sabah
Abstract
The Native Courts in Sabah are established under the Native Courts Enactment 1992. The courts serve as a crucial institution for administering justice within the native communities of the state. The jurisdiction of Native Courts in Sabah is designed to uphold and administer native customary law. These courts have the authority to adjudicate matters among others, breach of customary law, land disputes, inheritance, marital issues and adoption. This paper explores the scope of jurisdiction exercised by Native Courts. It highlights the importance of these courts in preserving natives' rights and also discusses the legal issues pertaining to the jurisdiction of the courts, and proposes suggestions to address the legal issues. Ultimately, this study illustrates the significance of Native Courts in fostering social cohesion and safeguarding the balance between tradition and modernity, ensuring that justice is served in a manner that resonates with the values of the native populations in Sabah.
Downloads
References
Application of Sipang bin Logong (Native Court of Appeal No 69 of 1959)
Arfah Hamzah Wan. (2011). A First Look at the Malaysian Legal System. Oxford University Press.
Ariff v. Abdul (Native Court of Appeal (NCA) No. 58/1958)
Auto Dunia Sdn Bhd v Wong Sun Fatt [1995] 2 MLJ 549
BERNAMA. (2005, March 21). “Sogit” For Rape Makes A Mockey of Native Court, Says CASH. (Berita Nasional Malaysia (BERNAMA) retrieved from https://advance-lexis-com.uitm.idm.oclc.org/document/?pdmfid=1522468&crid=137ca533-0c96-4a72-b86d-897a7422435a&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fnews%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A4FS6-9670-00KM-D0TC-00000-00&pdcontentcomponentid=210555&pdteaserkey=sr0&pdicsfeatureid=1521734&pditab=allpods&ecomp=hcrrk&earg=sr0&prid=aba9ea5d-92fc-41b3-8a9a-acd57373bcf0
Borneo Post Online. (2012, April 26). Suhakam proposes dialogues between Native and Syariah Courts. Borneo Post Online. Retrieved from https://www.theborneopost.com/2012/04/26/suhakam-proposes-dialogues-between-native-and-syariah-courts/
Daily Express. (2012, January 28). Daily Express. Children of deceased native mum feel let down.
Daily Express. (2014, November 3). Native non-Christian Men Can Engage in Polygamy. Daily Express Retrieved from https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=92890
Derim, R. (2005). Pemakaian enakmen Mahkamah Anak Negeri 1992 ke atas kes-kes yang melibatkan orang Islam : kajian di Mahkamah Anak Negeri Sabah Kota Kinabalu dari tahun 1999-2003. [Doctoral Thesis, UKM]
Dindim v. Sikin v Majangkil Bin Gutok (Native Court of Appeal (NCA) No.4 of 2009)
Eggleston, E., & Moulton. (1976). Fear, Favour or Affection: Aborigines and the Criminal Law in Victoria. Australian National University Press.
Gindok@Ginduk, J. (2018). Mahkamah Anak Negeri: Satu Transformasi (Peranan dan Tanggungjawab Ketua-ketua Adat) Jabatan Percetakan Kerajaan Negeri Sabah.
Goh, R. (2006, October 6). Native courts `can hear sex cases but...’. Pertubuhan Berita Nasional Malaysia. Retrieved from https://advance-lexis-com.uitm.idm.oclc.org/document/?pdmfid=1522468&crid=9648b7d2-eabb-49c3-9209-7a4e81e1b1ff&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fnews%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A4M26-GWW0-TX2H-N2W9-00000-00&pdcontentcomponentid=151977&pdteaserkey=sr10&pdicsfeatureid=1521734&pditab=allpods&ecomp=hcrrk&earg=sr10&prid=db3b90d4-d846-4dff-ba76-91773905a998
Haji Laungan Tarki bin Mohd Noor v. Mahkamah Anak Negeri Penampang [1998] 2 MLJ 85
Hun Hoe, L. (1973). Cases on Native Customary Law in Sabah. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Government Printer.
Jabatan Percetakan Kerajaan Negeri Sabah. (1992). Garis Panduan Ahli-Ahli Mahkamah Anak Negeri. Jabatan Percetakan Kerajaan Negeri Sabah.
Knaup, K. (1970-1971). Native Family Law in Sabah: A Study of Customary Law within a Common Law State. Saint Louis University Law Journal, 15.
Nancy Kual v. Ho Thau On [1994] 1 MLJ 545
Native Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1991
Pacific Centre Sdn Bhd v United Engineers (M) Bhd [1984] 2 MLJ 143
Permodalan MBF Sdn Bhd v Tan Sri Datuk Seri Hamzah bin Abu Samah & Ors [1988] 1 MLJ 178
Phelan, P. R. (2003). The Traditional Legal System of Sabah. Pusat Kajian Borneo.
Re James Le Kui Wah (1962) from Hun Hoe, L. (1973). Cases on Native Customary Law in Sabah. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Government Printer.
Sabah Native Courts Enactment 1992
Salleh, R. (2022). The Administration of Native Laws and Native Courts in Sabah. [Doctoral Thesis, Universiti Teknologi MARA]
Suppuletchimi a/p Karpaya v Palmco Bina Sdn Bhd [1994] 2 AMR 1191
Syed Idid, A. (1993). Native Court and Customary Law of Sabah. Jabatan Cetak Kerajaan Negeri Sabah, Malaysia.
Tombung, R. (2005, August 27). Time to end political meddling in native courts. Daily Express.
