Native Courts Bill marks major milestone in Sabah’s court reform, says Hajiji

The Native Courts Bill 2026, passed by the Sabah state assembly in July, provides for major reforms, including a comprehensive reorganisation of the court structure to include the Native District Court, Native High Court and Native Court of Appeal, says chief minister Hajiji Noor.

He said the bill’s passage, which ended the state government’s wait to elevate and strengthen the native customary legal system, also established the positions of chief justice and chief judge of the native courts, native court counsel and registrar.

“The appointment of judges is now being planned based on merit to ensure a high level of integrity and credibility,” he said in a statement today.

Hajiji also said the state government had allocated funds to upgrade court buildings, including a proposal to upgrade the Sabah Native Judiciary Complex and construct new courts in several districts.

He said while the reforms also involved a clearer separation between administrative and customary functions and judicial responsibilities, the traditional roles of customary officials such as district chiefs and native chiefs would continue to be preserved.

Hajiji said the government’s move to strengthen the native courts was aimed at modernising the traditional legal system of indigenous communities while ensuring that the system remained effective, relevant and authoritative.

“This effort is also aimed at ensuring that the native courts’ jurisdiction is clearer and more structured, enabling them to preserve and uphold local customary laws,” he said.