01-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
CM: Sabah Native Affairs Council drafting replacement for Native Court Enactment
KENINGAU: The Sabah Native Affairs Council has prepared a draft to replace the Sabah Native Court Enactment 1992.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the act would be replaced to ensure the Native Court is more effective and relevant.
"This draft requires input from the Sabah Attorney General's Office, Sabah Public Service Department and (Sabah) Finance Ministry before it is submitted to the state cabinet and subsequently tabled at the State Legislative Assembly.
"It is one of many initiatives the state government is looking at to benefit people at the grassroots," he said at the launch of the Kaamatan Festival at the Pisompuruan Hall in Tambunan, near here.
On another matter, Hajiji said the state government, through the Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry, remained committed to enhancing the state's agriculture self-sufficiency level, which is currently at 22.8 per cent.
To achieve this, the state government revived the Sabah Padi and Rice Board last year and is developing 22,146ha of abandoned padi fields in Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Keningau, Papar and Tambunan.
"This will help the ministry increase Sabah's food self-sufficiency level to at least 30 per cent by 2026 and 60 per cent by 2030."
On the Rural Agricultural Economic Revolution Programme launched yesterday, Hajiji said it was in line with the spirit of Kaamatan and signified the state government's deep concern for low-income groups, particularly the poor and hardcore poor in rural areas.
The programme aims to boost agricultural output to drive the economic growth of self-subsistent farmers.
"It not only aims to improve agricultural yield and food security in Sabah and Malaysia, it also aims to elevate the economy of rural folk and empower farmers, fishermen and agropreneurs so that they can be self-reliant, innovative and generate sustainable income," Hajiji said.
"With modern technology, supply chain support systems and the opening of new markets, this programme paves the way for rural communities to rise as key players in Sabah's economy.
"As income increases, job opportunities are created and young people can return to their villages with knowledge and hope. The community will become stronger, more united and more prosperous."
