Latest news with #Momogun
Borneo Post
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Native Court reform long overdue, says Momogun National Congress
Wences 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expressed strong support for the Sabah government's plan to implement the Native Court reform, replacing the current outdated Native Court Enactment.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.
Daily Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Momogun National Congress: Native Court reform long overdue
Published on: Tuesday, May 06, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 06, 2025 Text Size: Wences (left) 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. Kota Kinabalu: 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. MNC's 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.' Wences, who is also a former Deputy Chief Minister, also fully supported the statement by Libaran MP 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 Datuk Suhaimi Nasir'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. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
The Star
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah native court reforms long overdue, says Momogun group
KOTA KINABALU: The proposed native court reform to replace the outdated Native Court Enactment for Sabah is long overdue, says the Momogun National Congress (MNC). In expressing support for the state government's move, MNC president Tan Sri Wences Angang said it was a momentous development in strengthening native administration in the state, and should be supported by all native or Momogun institutions. 'It's a historic change that is long overdue. 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,' he said in a statement on Monday (May 5). ALSO READ: New version of Sabah Native Court Enactment in the works, says CM Hajiji He said its administration has long been in disarray owing to the frequent replacement of personnel after every state 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,' said Angang, a former Sabah deputy chief minister. This matters most significantly in matters of inheritance, marriage, and native land in the respective districts, he explained. He proposed that each district's Native Court include a research and development section to monitor social changes affecting customs and tradition in order to remain relevant. Angang said this was in line with Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir's reminder of the need to constantly have open consultations with indigenous community representatives, village chiefs and grassroots leaders who understand the realities on the ground. ALSO READ: Native court reforms in Sabah must uphold indigenous rights, says MP Suhaimi had also said that Native Courts must be equipped with qualified personnel, proper facilities, and ongoing training to function effectively, and should cease being used for political purposes. On this, Angang 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 natives who practice the customary laws they would be administering. In February, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said that Sabah's native court system, which predates formal governance and has long served both Muslim and non- Muslim communities, requires reforms to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness. He highlighted the crucial role that such courts play in administering customary laws among indigenous communities, operating alongside other legal frameworks.
Daily Express
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Upko may be small, but our impact is big
Published on: Saturday, May 03, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 03, 2025 Text Size: United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick urged party members to remain steadfast in their principles and contributions, despite perceptions of the party as "small" within the national political landscape. Speaking at Upko's 31st anniversary celebration at SICC on Friday, Ewon highlighted the party's legacy, ongoing role in national leadership, and vision ahead of the upcoming Sabah state election. 'If they say were a small party, just smile and continue doing good work. Every part of the body, big or small, has a purpose,' he said, rallying members to take pride in their identity and impact. Fresh from a special diplomatic mission to the Vatican to represent Malaysia at Pope Francis' funeral, Ewon reflected on leadership and legacy. 'Reading the legacy of Pope Francis made me reflect, what do we want to leave behind for the next generation through our leadership in Upko?' he asked. He paid tribute to former Upko presidents Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Datuk Seri Madius Tangau for their lasting contributions, from empowering the Momogun community to pushing a multiethnic and progressive direction for the party. Ewon, who also serves as Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, stressed Upko's critical role in securing improved financial recognition for Sabah from the federal government. He detailed how Upko and other PH Sabah lawmakers initiated a legal challenge (Originating Summons) over the federal government's 2022 special grant allocation, a move that led to several key outcomes, including a raise in annual special grants to RM600 million. 'Because of Upko's action, we achieved important decisions, including LHDN law amendments and increased funding. We were part of this,' he said. Ewon reiterated that the party will continue to champion Sabah's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and work with like-minded parties at both state and federal levels. 'This state election is not a contest of who shouts loudest or throws the most accusations. It should be a measure of Sabahs unity,' he said. Looking ahead, Ewon said Upko remains ready to contest in the upcoming state polls and emphasized the need for strategic, principle-driven collaboration. 'Upko must be a party that inspires, that motivates, and that stands firm on matters of constitutional and regional importance. 'Let us be proud that we have a party to call our home, one that respects, cooperates, and contributes to a better neighbourhood, a better Sabah, and a better Malaysia,' he said. The event was also attended by Upko leaders, Pakatan Harapan coalition partners, and members from across Sabah. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
