The Sabah Law Reform Advisory Council (SLRAC) is undertaking a comprehensive review of several key state laws to ensure they reflect current realities, uphold good governance, and protect Sabah’s long-term interests.
Working closely with the State Attorney-General’s Chambers, the council aims to modernise outdated legal frameworks as part of a mandate given by the State Government through its establishment by the Chief Minister.
Among the major laws under review are the Sabah Land Ordinance, Wildlife Conservation Enactment, Public Health Ordinance, Maintenance Ordinance, Climate Change Regulations, and Sabah Parks Enactment.
Each review, the council said, is guided by the principle that the law must remain “clear, relevant, and capable of serving the people of Sabah effectively.”
The first phase of the review — which covers the Sabah Land Ordinance and Maintenance Ordinance — has been completed and is now ready for consultation with the government and key stakeholders.
One of the areas examined is the registration of Powers of Attorney, with proposed measures to strengthen verification processes and prevent fraudulent dealings in land. This follows the council’s earlier reform of the Sabah Land Ordinance, which reinforced the principle of indefeasibility of title to ensure greater legal certainty and public confidence in the state’s land administration system.
At the request of the Chief Minister, the Sabah Mining Ordinance 1960 is also undergoing review. The proposed updates aim to enhance governance, oversight, and environmental management in the mining sector. Drawing from the Sabah Mineral Enactment 1999, the revised framework introduces clearer licensing procedures, stronger enforcement measures, and improved safeguards for community and native rights.
The draft amendments also include modernised definitions, lifecycle management requirements, provisions for downstream processing, and measures to enhance transparency in the extractive industry.
SLRAC chairman Tan Sri David Wong said the council’s overarching goal is to ensure that law reform serves the public interest while strengthening institutional accountability.“
We want the people of Sabah to have confidence that every reform promotes transparency, fairness, and environmental responsibility,” he said.
He added that the council remains committed to keeping the public informed of its progress to ensure that law reform in Sabah remains open, credible, and effective.
The SLRAC will continue to release updates as its review of the state’s legal framework advances.
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