Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak may apply Artificial Intelligence to assist in its research and writing of Adat, says Sikie

KUCHING, Dec 1 2025: Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak (MAIS) may apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it explores new methods to assist in its research and writing of Adat, Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Laws and Customs) John Sikie Tayai said.

John Sikie Tayai: Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak has embarked on the modernisation of Adat since 2022
 

He said the responsibility of MAIS to shoulder in research and writing in convention form is getting heavier due to the increase in the number of native races.

He said MAIS has embarked on the modernisation of Adat since the end of 2022, saying that this is a very academic exercise focusing on, among other things, reinterpretation, enhancement, and making

new provisions for the Adat.

“The reinterpretation of Adat is to examine the purpose and rationale underlying a traditional Adat from a different perspective, for example, an Adat that is intertwining with traditional spirituality,” he said in his winding speech at the Sarawak State Legislative (SLA) today.

“This is to explore the ideal to be achieved in a community or society through the application of the Adat.

“Once the rationale is understood, then an alternative provision with secular dimensions would be recommended,” he said.

He added that the reinterpretation would not abolish the traditional Adat but provide an alternative secular provision.

In this manner, he said the Adat could exist side by side and cater for the needs of natives in a diverse social situation in a community.

He added the enhancement of Adat is to improve or mitigate the harshness or negative impact of Adat, saying that some Adat could cause mental or psychological distress to one or both parties or to the children, for example, in divorce cases.

He explained that it is quite common that the Adat allows for split custody of children,that is dividing children equally between the parents following their  divorce.

“This Adat could cause mental or psychological distress to parents and children. In some cases, the Adat is almost impossible to enforce.

“To mitigate the harshness of such Adat, MAIS suggests that one of the parents should be awarded legal custody of all the children while the other would get access and visitation rights over the children.

“The parent who does not get legal custody would provide maintenance to the children. In cases where the children are teenagers and understand the situation, the court may ask which parent they want to live with,” he said. 

Sikie also said MAIS is exploring the possibilities of recommending new provisions to fill the gaps in the Adat.

He cited as an example where the Adat is silent on certain important matters, new provisions would be recommended to clarify the silence in the Adat.

He said the new provision is to fill the lacuna (gap) or to clarify the silence in an Adat, pointing out that many of the Adat were formulated and evolved many centuries ago and catered for the social relations and affairs of the native communities during those times.

“Today they are not quite comprehensive for the regulation of some important social relations and affairs of the modern native communities.

“Thus, there are many gaps or lacuna in the Adat,” he said, for example, there is no clear Adat in the Iban communities regulating the distribution of property between the old longhouse and new

longhouses built by the people originating from the old longhouse and situated in the same locality.

“Similarly, there is no clear Adat stating whether those ‘natives’ conferred under section 3 of the Interpretation Ordinance, 2005 are subject to the Adat of the native race which he or she claims to belong to.

Native Courts looking for legally qualified candidates to sit as magistrates

KUCHING, Dec 1 2025: The Native Courts has taken interim measures to lay out the necessary foundation while awaiting the passing of the new Native Courts Bill, Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Laws and Customs) John Sike has said.

John Sikie Tayai: By recruiting legally trained individuals, we are ensuring that the courts is staffed with personnel capable of handling a wider variety of cases with professionalism, consistency, and fairness.

He said the courts is currently working closely with the Human Resource Development and Management Unit to identify and recruit individuals with recognised legal backgrounds as magistrates.

“These include those who possess the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP), to serve as Native Courts

magistrates,” he  said in his winding up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) today.

He added the interim initiative is both timely and crucial, saying that the growing complexity of cases before the courts requires officers who not only have a deep understanding of local customs, but are also knowledgeable in legal principles and judicial procedures.

“By recruiting legally trained individuals, we are ensuring that the courts is staffed with personnel capable of handling a wider variety of cases with professionalism, consistency, and fairness.

“Furthermore, this recruitment effort will help address the current and anticipated shortage of magistrates,” he said, adding that as the transformation programme progresses, a sufficient pool of qualified officers will be essential to ensure smooth operations, minimize delays, and maintain public confidence in the system.

Sikie said the combination of legal training and contextual understanding of Adat will enable the magistrates to administer justice effectively, especially in cases where customary principles intersect with broader legal considerations.

He added that as of October this year, out of the total 18,233 registered court cases since 1992 that involve all levels of courts throughout Sarawak, 13,763 cases or 75 per cent have been settled.

He said there are still 4,470 or 25 per cent cases that remain at several different stages of the process.

Sikie said the Native Courts is making every effort to ensure that these remaining cases are resolved promptly and efficiently.

 

Political failure of PH in Sabah election is wake-up call for federal government to be serious on MA63 delivery

 

KUCHING, Nov 30 2025: A social activist Voon Shiak Ni has said that the political failure of Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the just concluded Sabah election is a wake-up call for the federal government to be serious about delivery of Malaysia Agreement 1963  (MA63) for the two Borneo territories .

Voon Shiak Ni: MA63, together with the Federal Constitution, guarantees Borneo’s autonomy in key areas such as immigration, religion, education, health , natural resources, taxation, and local governance. 

“During the campaign , we have heard of cries on “ Sabah for Sabahans “ and we have also heard leaders from the federal government who had tried to water down  the local sentiments in their campaign speeches and directly insulted the existence of the agreement,” she said in a statement this evening.

Voon said the federal government needs to be reminded that the agreement is not a favour from the federal government .

“It is a binding constitutional covenant that forms the very foundation on which Sabah and Sarawak agreed to form Malaysia.

“MA63, together with the Federal Constitution, guarantees Borneo’s autonomy in key areas such as immigration, religion, education, health , natural resources, taxation, and local governance.

“These safeguards were not negotiable concessions; they were conditions of merger and remain entrenched in constitutional law,” Voon, who is also a practising lawyer, reminded.

She said for decades, many of these rights have been diluted, delayed, or ignored,saying that this is not only a political failure, but  it is a breach of constitutional duty.

“As equal partners to the federation, the people of Borneo have the legal rights to demand the full and immediate restoration of all MA63 obligations,” she said.

She told the federal government to stop treating MA63 as a political bargaining chip and start treating it as the binding legal instrument that it is.

“Respecting MA63 is not optional, not subject to changing administrations, and not something to be “considered”—it is a constitutional obligation enforced by the rule of law,” she stressed.

Voon told the federal government that the people of Sabah and Sarawak are just demanding the return of what was promised, codified, and constitutionally protected.

“They are insisting that the federal government restores the full autonomy and entitlements that were guaranteed in 1963.

“Fulfilling MA63 is not just about fairness—it is about legal integrity, historical justice, and honouring the original terms of the federation.

“If Malaysia is to move forward as a truly equal union, then the federal government must demonstrate its immediate and genuine commitment to restoring every right due to the Borneo territories,” she said.

She added that Sarawak is demanding the same from the federal government on MA63 and the most serious issue pending in Sarawak now is the public health issue with the serious shortage of doctors and public hospital facilities.

Voon said as a Sarawakian , she urged hat the issue be addressed immediately by the federal government .