BELAGA: The Sarawak government’s efforts to document the customs of various communities in the state are crucial in ensuring its heritage is not eroded amid rapid development.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Bumiputera Law and Custom), Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat said the move to formalise and codify traditional practices would help preserve the cultural legacy of Bumiputera communities while strengthening the foundation of the Bumiputera Courts legal system.
He added that the Bumiputera communities in Sarawak must continue to uphold the customs inherited from their ancestors as these form their identity and serve as the basis of customary law in the state.
“For example, for the Kayan and Kenyah communities, the Adat Kayan-Kenyah 1994 is a Code of Customs that has been documented by the Sarawak government through the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak.
“I have also been informed that the customs of other communities such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Penan, Bisaya, Lun Bawang and Kelabit have also been documented to date,” he said.
He said this during a working visit to the Bumiputera Court of Belaga District, followed by a dialogue session with community leaders in the district on Friday.
Jefferson, who is also Bukit Goram assemblyman, added that the Bumiputera Court plays a vital role in ensuring customs continue to be respected through the enforcement of penalties for breaches of customary laws within the community.
He also stressed the important role of community and tribal leaders appointed by the government in helping to resolve disputes and civil cases based on customary law, including those involving Native Customary Rights (NCR) land.
