Sabah is preparing to replace the Native Court Enactment 1992 with a new law aimed at modernising and strengthening the institution that governs indigenous customary laws.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the Sabah Native Court Enactment 2025, currently being reviewed, will streamline the system and enhance its relevance.
“This is what we are doing to ensure that the Native Court is more effective and relevant,” he said at the launch of the 2025 Kaamatan Festival in Tambunan on Wednesday.
The draft law was prepared by the Sabah Native Affairs Council and is under review by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
It will later be vetted by the State Attorney General’s Chambers, Public Service Department, and the Finance Ministry before being tabled in the State Legislative Assembly.
The Chief Minister said the reform reflects the state government’s broader effort to address long-standing institutional needs, particularly those affecting grassroots communities.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who officiated the Kaamatan launch, echoed the government’s inclusive message for this year’s harvest festival, themed Kaamatan Untuk Semua, Kaamatan For All, Kaamatan Montok Toinsanan.
“The theme reflects harmony and the spirit of goodwill among the people of Sabah, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani,” he said.
Jeffrey announced a state allocation of RM5 million to fund Kaamatan celebrations across all districts, urging organisers to spend wisely and ensure the festival remains a platform for cultural unity.
He also emphasised Kaamatan’s evolving role beyond a traditional harvest festival.
“Kaamatan is no longer just a harvest celebration. It has become a symbol of unity among the people, a space for us to get to know and respect each other, and celebrate each other’s cultural uniqueness,” he said.
On food security, Hajiji said Sabah’s self-sufficiency level currently stands at only 22.8%.
To improve this, the government has revived the Sabah Rice and Rice Board (LPBS) and is developing more than 22,000 hectares of idle padi land across Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Papar, Keningau, and Tambunan.
Hajiji also highlighted the new Rural Agricultural Economic Revolution Programme (REPLB), launched a day earlier, as a strategic effort to empower rural farmers, agropreneurs and fisherfolk.
“This programme will help our farmers, fishermen and agropreneurs become self-reliant, innovative, and sustainably productive,” he said.
He added that stronger rural economies would attract youth back to their hometowns, fostering unity and social resilience.
The Kaamatan closing ceremony will take place on 30 and 31 May at KDCA in Penampang and is expected to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. – May 1, 2025
