Native Courts seek to fill 15 magistrate vacancies

THE Sarawak Native Courts are seeking to fill 15 vacant magistrate positions, with the state government urged to extend new appointees’ contract periods from one year to three years to attract and retain qualified candidates.

Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai said the vacancies comprised seven positions at the Resident Native Courts and eight at the District Native Courts.

He said the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Sarawak Native Courts is working closely with the State Human Resource Management and Development Unit to identify suitable candidates.

However, the one-year contract period posed a challenge in attracting candidates with legal qualifications and relevant experience.

“As such, we are requesting that the contract period for newly appointed magistrates be extended from one year to three years, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today (Oct 19).

Sikie said a longer contract period would help attract and retain qualified candidates, ensure continuity in judicial services and improve case management, ultimately supporting timely access to justice.

He said the Sarawak Native Courts currently has four magistrates serving at the District Native Courts, two at the Resident Native Courts and one President of the Native Court of Appeal.

Eight District Native Court magistrates ended their service at the end of 2024 after their contracts were not renewed due to age or health factors.

Despite the staffing constraints, Sikie said the courts continued efforts to reduce the backlog of cases accumulated over the years, particularly at the Resident and District Native Courts.

As of Sept this year, a total of 4,961 cases, or 67 per cent of the 7,326 cases registered since 2020, had been resolved.

The cases involved customary law violations, civil matters, applications for recognition as Sarawak Bumiputera communities and appeals.

Sikie said the Office of the Chief Registrar remained committed to improving case management and coordination to address the backlog despite the limited number of magistrates.