Effective Native Courts
Updated: Jun 20, 2022
In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organised robbery.
– St. Augustine, early Christian theologian
Sarawak’s existing native court system has the potential to blaze new trails when it is regulated, controlled, ruled and led by established and entrenched traditions, customs and mores enumerated in the Adat Iban.
It must be a truly independent organ of the Sarawak government. Nothing more, nothing less. No frills, bells, whistles, surprises and hidden agendas. It must have its own funding, its own judges and lawyers, its own police force, its own prisons, and other indispensable facilities and amenities that tell the world that this is an independent bastion of law, equity and justice.
Although it has the support and endorsement of the Federal Constitution, the existing lacunae in its structure can be filled with genuine ...