Govt to formulate native law for Labuan - Armizan

LABUAN - A special law will be enacted as an effort to uphold the Native Court legal and judicial systems in Labuan, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

He said the act would become a specific law for the legislative process of the Native Court in Labuan.

Armizan said there was a need for the new law because Labuan has been using Sabah’s Native Court Enactment.

"In addition to improving the judicial system, the new law is established specifically to handle various cases related to Bumiputera (non-Muslim) customs in Labuan.

"The initial process to formulate this act has been started with the cooperation of the Sabah state Attorney-General 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 Court today.

The Labuan Native Court, previously under the purview of the Ministry of Federal Territories, is 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 court law would be implemented with the formation of this new act.

"We hope that with the existence of this special law, it will also be a manifestation for certain Bumiputeras 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