Appointing JPs as Second Class Magistrates in Sabah; An ex-AG was the spoiler: CJ
Published on: Friday, March 06, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government is yet to approve Justices of Peace (JPs) in Sabah playing a judicial role as Second Class Magistrates in public service."You are recognised and can join the Commonwealth Association of Judges and JPs, attend seminars by judges, magistrates of the Commonwealth as part of the privileges of being a member of the Sabah Council of Justices of Peace".Sabah Council of Justices of Peace (Majap) deputy head Datuk Lawrence Thien said this prior to the ceremony to swear in 18 new JPs at the historic High Court Building, Thursday, before Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Richard Malanjum.
ADVERTISEMENT
Malanjun said a former State Attorney-General was unreasonable when the state and country could benefit from such public service. Malanjum said if approved, their services would greatly complement the work of magistrates in outstation towns such as Telupid and Sipitang.Most of the Sabah JPs are Barisan Nasional political party appointees or government functionaries.Malanjun also reminded JPs not to charge the public for their services, which include certifying true copies and attestation of statutory declarations. Unlike JPs in other states in Malaysia, Sabah JPs are empowered to attest Statutory Declarations under a move initiated by the then colonial administration due to the shortage of such qualified personnel then.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 18 new JPs are Wong Chang Sing of Tawau, Haji Pondren Bin Nawa of Tawau, Datuk Paul Kong Sing Chu of Penampang, Lee She Lip of KK, Jino @ Peter B Allion @ Alliun of Penampang, Datuk Hsieh Yang Vui of KK, Dato' Harry Alian Baking of Foreign Ministry, Goh Chit Yong of Lintas, Arthur Joseph Kurup of KK, Datuk Ag. Nohin Bin Ag. Raut of Penampang, Shahelmy Yahya of KK, Jonathan Lo Chaw Loong of KK, Datuk Yusuf Hamdain Diego of KK, Datuk Mohd Ainal Bin Fattah of Likas, Dato' Sulaiman Bin Ibrahim of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Jothi Veeramani A/L Valmuni of Tanjung Aru, Datuk Juani@Johnny Bin Mositun of KK and Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah of Sandakan.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
ADVERTISEMENT
Thien reminded the new JPs not to charge for their services as witness to the signing of documents, as it should be free for the public. The JPs can purchase a pair of vehicle badges for RM200, after joining Majap for RM1,300 membership fee.
