Hajiji lauds move to have more High Court judges in Sabah

 

The additional judges are needed in view of the increasing number of court cases in Sabah and Sarawak. (Bloomberg pic)

PETALING JAYA: Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor has lauded the federal government’s proposal to have more High Court judges in East Malaysia.

According to a Bernama report, Hajiji said this would help with the increasing number of court cases in the state.

He also said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement that the government would look into the condition of court buildings in Sabah and Sarawak was timely.

Earlier today, Anwar said the government was discussing the appointment of more High Court judges in Sabah and Sarawak.

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Meanwhile, Sabah Law Society (SLS) president Roger Chin also welcomed the federal government’s move.

However, he urged the federal government to also look into other matters regarding judges, courts and laws in Sabah, namely the appointment of judicial commissioners and the need to maintain sufficient Sabah and Sarawak representation in the appellate courts.

“SLS calls for the return of authority and rights of Sabah and Sarawak by restoring the power of the respective governors to appoint judicial commissioners, provided for in the Federal Constitution prior to 1994,” Chin said.

He suggested that the government look into elevating the native courts of Sabah to be on par with shariah courts and allowing advocates recognised by the state ordinance to join the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.

Chin also lauded the federal government’s commitment to fulfil the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), as evident from recent announcements of plans for Sabah to regulate its own electricity and gas supply by setting up the Sabah Energy Commission. - FMT