Native Court reform long overdue, says Momogun National Congress
KOTA KINABALU (May 5): The Momogun National Congress (MNC) has expressed strong support for the Sabah government's plan to implement the Native Court reform, replacing the current outdated Native Court Enactment.
Its president, Tan Sri Wences Angang, sees the development as a momentous and historic development for the strengthening of the native administration in the state which should be heartily supported by all native or Momogun institutions.
'It's a historic change that is long overdue,' he said in a statement. 'It's high time the Native Court is reformed to function as a proper government body and should no longer remain as an avenue for political appointments. Its administration has long been in disarray due to the frequent replacement of its personnel after every state general election.
'By upgrading the Native Court to the same status as the Syariah Court, establishing its staffing with permanent and pensionable personnel, we will see a new era of a more efficient and stronger jurisdiction over customary affairs, most crucially in matters of inheritance, marriage, and native land in the respective districts.'
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor recently announced that the Sabah Native Court Enactment 1992 will be replaced with a new version to streamline the court's structure and strengthen its role.
The draft of the 2025 enactment is under review by relevant state departments before being presented to the State Cabinet and Legislative Assembly.
Wences, who is also a former Deputy Chief Minister, also fully supported the statement by Libaran member of parliament Datuk Suhaimi Nasir who said the Native Courts must be equipped with qualified personnel, proper facilities, and ongoing training to function effectively, and should cease being used for political purposes.
Wences proposes that each district's Native Court should include a research and development section to continuously monitor social changes affecting customs and tradition in order to remain relevant.
He said this in line with Suhaimi's reminder about the need to constantly include open consultations with indigenous community representatives, village chiefs, and grassroots leaders who truly understand the social realities on the ground.
Wences also said that while appointments of Native Court chiefs and judges should be carried out transparently and free from political interference, the enactment should also provide that all Native Court personnel must be appointed from among natives who practice the customary laws they will be administering.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Daily Express
Momogun National Congress awaits State nod for ‘Momogun'
Published on: Monday, July 14, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 14, 2025 Text Size: Wences, a former assemblyman and Deputy Chief Minister, who is from the Tatana ethnic group, said MNC is also looking into the possibility of organizing the World Rural Development Day, beginning next year in collaboration with the Momogun signatories and other Momogun NGOs. PENAMPANG: The Momogun National Congress (MNC) has not given up seeking official recognition of the term 'Momogun' as a collective name for the indigenous peoples of President, Tan Sri Wences Angang, said despite opposition by a small number of Momogun groups, MNC stands by the support and desire of 77 Sabah indigenous NGOs for 'Momogun' as their collective name. 'We continue to wait for the State Government to pass the MNC's resolution to adopt the Momogun Declaration which requires that 'Momogun' be placed in Government forms. We have submitted the declaration to the Chief Minister as well as the previous Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Juhar,' he said. 'We also await the actual implementation of the new non-politicised format of the Native Court, manned by permanent and pensionable staffers.' 'If Kadazans, Dusuns, Muruts, Bisayas, Tidongs and Orang Sungais (Paitanics) were to be counted as separate individual groups, their respective numbers would be small and insignificant. 'But if they are counted as a group they will exceed the strong one million mark in Sabah's population of three million,' he said. 'We are now facing a serious existential threat, and for this we will continue our dialogue with the Momogun signatories and other Momogun NGOs to seek ways to counter threats from globalisation.' He said part of their approach is to seek worldwide recognition by aligning MNC with the International Indigenous Peoples' Movement. 'MNC is organizing for the third time the annual International Indigenous Peoples' Day to be held in Tenom next month.' Wences, a former assemblyman and Deputy Chief Minister, who is from the Tatana ethnic group, said MNC is also looking into the possibility of organizing the World Rural Development Day, beginning next year in collaboration with the Momogun signatories and other Momogun NGOs. He stressed that MNC must take advantage of the international day which was declared by the United Nation's General Assembly last July 6 to reaffirm the UN's unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He said MNC is also working to enhance the teaching of the English language being carried out by Institute for Indigenous Economic Progress (INDEP), under its 'Be an English Speaker Today' (BEST) program. 'English is the crucial language to enable Momoguns to gain high paying employment and to participate effectively in global affairs,' he stressed. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Borneo Post
MNC vows to press for Momogun identity and socioeconomic progress
Wences PENAMPANG (July 12): The Momogun National Congress (MNC) is relentless in pushing for the full and undisputed official recognition of the term 'Momogun' as a collective name for the indigenous peoples of Sabah. In his address at the MNC Installation Night here last night, MNC President Tan Sri Wences Angang made the assurance that despite opposition of a small number of Momogun groups, MNC stands by the support and desire of 77 Sabah indigenous NGOs from all over Sabah for Momogun as their collective name. 'We continue to wait for the State Government to pass the MNC's resolution to adopt the Momogun Declaration which requires that 'Momogun' be placed in government forms. We have since a while ago submitted the declaration to the Chief Minister as well as the previous Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Juhar,' he said. 'We also await the actual implementation of the new non-politicised format of the Native Court, manned by permanent and pensionable staff,' he said. As the president who had won uncontested in the last MNC election, Wences said that unity of the Momoguns into a group would significantly raise their status in the demographic makeup of the state. 'If the Kadazans, Dusuns, Muruts, Bisayas, Tidongs and Orang Sungais (Paitanics) were to be counted as separate individual groups, their respective numbers would be small and insignificant. But if they are counted as a group they will exceed the strong one million mark in Sabah's population of three million,' he said. 'We are now facing a serious existential threat, and for this we will continue our dialogues with the Momogun signatories and other Momogun NGOs to seek ways to counter threats from globalization. 'In part, our approach is to seek worldwide recognition by aligning MNC with the International Indigenous Peoples' Movement. And for this purpose, MNC is proud to announce that we are now busy organizing for the third time the annual International Indigenous Peoples' Day to be held in Tenom next month,' he added. Wences, a former assemblyman and Deputy Chief Minister, who himself is a Momogun from the Tatana ethnic group, also said MNC is also looking into the possibility of organizing the World Rural Development Day, beginning next year in collaboration with the Momogun signatories and other Momogun NGOs. He stressed that MNC must take advantage of the international day which was declared by the United Nation's General Assembly last July 6 to reaffirm the UN's unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Quoting Manjira Mathai, the Managing Director For Global Partnership and AFRICA, World Economic Institute, Wences said, 'Rural communities are the quiet wheels that power our world: hubs of food production, guardians of the most critical ecosystem, and anchors of cultural heritage. Yet they remain some of the most underinvested and overlooked. As the world confronts the polycrises of climate change, poverty, and food insecurity, there is growing recognition that rural transformation is not optional. It is an essential part of building lasting resilience for any nation and it must begin with meaningful investment, not just acknowledgement.' He said that to enhance the Momogun youths' international exposure and economic participation, MNC is working to enhance the teaching of the English language being carried out by Institute for Indigenous Economic Progress (INDEP), under its 'Be an English Speaker Today' (BEST) program. 'English is the crucial language to enable Momoguns to gain high paying employment and to participate effectively in global affairs,' he pointed out. At the installation ceremony, official appointment certificates were given to 29 Supreme Council members.
Daily Express
18-06-2025
- Daily Express
Anak Negeri targets 20 state seats
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 By: Jinni Juanis Text Size: From left: Trevor, Nazarul, Ruzi and Priskila. Kota Kinabalu: Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (Anak Negeri) has confirmed its participation in the state election, targeting 20 state seats. Party President Datuk Henrynus Amin said seven seats had already been confirmed, with several more expected to be finalised in the coming weeks. Advertisement When asked about his personal candidacy, Henrynus remained undecided, citing various considerations including age, health and family obligations. He said Anak Negeri is focused on recruiting dynamic, people-oriented and highly motivated young leaders for the coming election. While prepared to contest independently, Henrynus indicated openness to collaboration with small local parties unaffiliated with national Malayan-based parties. 'Parti Anak Negeri has had informal discussions to explore this idea with a friendly local Momogun-based party, but no formal meeting has taken place,' he said. He advocated for cooperation rather than competition among smaller local parties, pointing out the need for realistic assessment of their respective strengths. 'It is a good idea for smaller political parties to focus their efforts on areas where they possess a strong base and a higher probability of success,' he said. Meanwhile, Henrynus four new faces that would help to maintain the youth leadership and implement several important initiatives of the party. He said the key appointments signals a renewed commitment to the youth leadership and party revitalisation. The new appointments are Trevor Maringking, 43, as the new Secretary-General; Priskila Akwila, 29), as the new Women's Chief; Nazarul K Wahab, 42, as the new Youth Chief and Datin Seri Ruzi Saul, 46, a Supreme Council member. 'These strategic changes underscore the party's dedication to integrating and empowering the next generation of leaders,' he said. He said Trevor has also been appointed as the Chief party coordinator for Tuaran and which incidentally his late father, Yunof Maringking was formerly the Member of Parliament for Tuaran. Priskila Akwila, a 29-year-old lawyer from Kota Belud, who earlier joined the party was appointed a member of the Supreme Council, is now entrusted further to take on the role of the Party's Women's chief. Nazarul K Wahab steps in as the new Youth Chief, replacing Bonik Gatindus who will be assigned as the Deputy Youth Chief. Nazarul will also head the party's coordinating committee for Kundasang. Additionally, Datin Seri Ruzi Saul representing Kalabakan has been appointed to the Supreme Council. 'With these appointments, the party will actively seek to recruit more leaders especially the younger generation to join in the ranks.' 'We will continue to invite and welcome all young, passionate individuals who believe in our values to join us in shaping a more inclusive and dynamic political landscape for Sabah, Malaysia,' said the former MP Ranau. According to Henrynus, the appointment is not just a matter only for this coming election but rather to shape and prepare the leaders of tomorrow by trusting them now to learn and take action from today. He said Parti Anak Negeri believes that action speaks louder than words and for Sabah to be rid of recycled politicians in government leadership positions in the future. He said the younger generation must be entrusted with responsibilities or given the opportunity to lead and be empowered from the earliest time possible. 'We trust the process and are investing for a better Sabah in the coming years since the leaders of tomorrow are the youths of today,' he added. Henrynus emphasised the significance of these appointments. For example, Trevor Maringking, a practicing lawyer, would be assigned tasks to spearhead the party's reorganisation and renewal program. He said Trevor had also been appointed as the Chief party coordinator for Tuaran and which incidentally his late father, Yunof Maringking was formerly the Member of Parliament for Tuaran. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
