Kota Kinabalu: A long-serving Justice of the Peace (JP) expressed appreciation to the National Registration Department (NRD) of Sabah for resolving his JP stamp issue.
Datuk David Chong, who highlighted the matter last month, said Sabah NRD Director Ervinah Kebahi @ Syarafina Ibrahim held a meeting with him at the Mini Putrajaya Complex recently to address the matter.
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“On behalf of all the JPs in Sabah, I wish to thank the Director for clearing up the dispute.
“I believe certain officers, particularly from the peninsula, were unaware of the JPs’ roles in Sabah.
“The Director has issued an order to the officers to accept the JP stamp used to certify documents as true copies,” said Chong.
Chong, who has been using the JP stamp for about 20 years, encountered the problem of rejection earlier this year when he attested some documents.
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“I am glad that the Director (Ervinah), who is a Sabahan, understands the role, duties and powers of all state-appointed JPs,” said Chong.
He said all JPs are required to sit for an examination and must pass before being appointed.
However, he explained that in the peninsula, they are known as Commissioners for Oaths, appointed by the Federal Courts, while in Sabah, the role is conferred by the State Government.
He hoped all Federal agencies in Sabah are made aware of the JP’s role in helping the Government to ease their burden and reduce bureaucracy.
“At the same time, we are helping the people to speed up their dealings with public servants,” he said.
He pointed out that under the provisions of Section 99 of the Lower Courts Act 1948 (Act 92), JPs in Sabah have the authority to administer oaths and affirmations, make and accept statutory declarations and certify signatures like a second-class magistrate.
