KOTA KINABALU: State Attorney-General Datuk Hajah Mariati Robert said they would continue to foster close cooperation with other government departments and agencies tasked with the overall transformation of the native judicial system.
“A subject which has been and will remain a priority for the State Attorney General’s Chambers is the native judiciary and the administration of justice within the native judicial system,” she said in her speech during the Opening of the Legal Year 2015 for Sabah and Sarawak at the High Court here yesterday.
She also said that this would be a challenge in respect of which they propose to adopt a holistic as well as visceral approach.
“In particular, we will concentrate and devote more time to address the following matters, among others are; to review the procedures for application to a Native Court by a person claiming to be a native; to standardize the berian, marriage and divorce forms; to revise the Letters of Administration (Schedule III) issued under the Administration of Native and Small Estates Ordinance 1941 (Cap. 1),” Mariati said.
Apart from that, she said that they would also study and recommend a suitable institutional and corporate identity of the Native Court with a view to creating a distinct crest and logo for the Native Court of Appeal and all official stationery of the Judiciary pursuant to the spirit and intent of Section 5 of the Native Court Enactment 1992.
“We will also formulate and recommend procedures and criteria for the appointment of the Native Judges to ensure a credible independence of the Native judiciary, to recommend proper standard procedures for the registration of Native Court of Appeal Advocates Committee, to hold discussions with the relevant authority to formalise proper court attire for Native Court of Appeal advocates,” said Mariati, adding that, the invigoration of the Native Laws Revision Committee which would have its first meeting in early February.
She explained that it has always been the Chambers’ mission statement to give efficient and quality legal service to the State Government within a reasonable time frame.
“So as to enable those who serve it to carry out their duties and exercise their powers duly and efficiently, in accordance with the Rule of Law as provided in the Federal and State constitutions. With the mission we hope to minimize and eliminate the risks that the administration may be exposed to,” added Mariati.