PENAMPANG. A former magistrate of the Native Court here has called on the state government of Sabah to honour the pledge made 3 years ago.
"By setting up a Native Court Department, this Court will be on par both with civil courts and syariah court", he said.
After three years, there is no news how far this thing has become a reality. Can anybody suggest and comment what is the outcome or the progress of this matter. We are the native of Sabah and we have this court, the Native Court which help the native people settle their problems that relate to "adat istiadat" (customary laws) such as inheritance of properties, marriage and others. Now this is under the ministry of housing and local government under Datuk Masidi Manjun.
This Department should enjoy the autonomy free from intervention by other bodies. I urge all those responsible to get this thing enabled, said Andrew in a statement to the press.
Andrew has also contacted former Assistant Minister of Law and Native Affair Janie Lasimbang to bring this matter to the State Legislative Assembly. After the 2020 snap state election, the new GRS government have cancelled the Law and Native Affair ministry and send back the Native Courts to be under the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
Meanwhile , YB Janie was re-elected as assemblywoman for Kepayan under the opposition DAP.
Andrew S Lidaun has a long, ten (10) years stint in the native court system starting as a village chief of Kobusak Nosoob while working for the private sector. Under the native court system, a village chief can also hear minor cases amongst his villagers settling any dispute in a peace making concept that ends up with a "sogit" or appeasement penalty to cool down any anger between the disputing parties.
"Sogit" is a Kadazan word with the first meaning of cool temperature.
Andrew was eventully elevated to Ketua Anak Negeri or Native Chief which is equavalent to Magistrate of Native Courts in Sarawak State.
While sitting on the bench of three judges including the District Chief or OKK, Andrew had heard and prepared verdicts for many high profile cases amongst the list of public interest includes:-
1. Seven Heaven Case (fiance-fiancee dispute with a third party involved)
2. Land scam where the value of the land was RM1.6 million
3. A long list of other disputes involving houses and lands
4. A long list of sexual escapades that may be just gossips to the west but serious offences against the native Adat in the country.
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