Putrajaya to ensure judges with Bornean experience for East Malaysia cases

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong said Putrajaya will see to ensure the representation by judges with Bornean experience for court cases filed in East Malaysia.

Liew (photo) noted that Sabah Law Society president Roger Chin had during the opening of the Legal Year 2020 on Friday emphasised on the importance of judges with Bornean judicial experience in hearing cases filed in East Malaysia, particularly at the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court.

"I agree entirely. There are at many times cases involving unique Bornean local conditions, culture and customs that may only be best appreciated by judges with Bornean judicial experience," he said in a statement today.

Liew said both the federal government and state governments in East Malaysia have last year agreed on the importance of Bornean representation.

He added that it is one of 17 issues that the special cabinet committee to review the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 is working on.

"It will be resolved administratively by the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court.

"This achievement of the special cabinet committee stands unprecedented in Malaysia’s legal history and once more underscores the tremendous effectiveness of this highest-ranking decision-making committee.

"The federal government will continue to work with the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak in ensuring that the interests of Borneo are preserved and upheld, and that Sabah and Sarawak become equal partners in this federation," he said.