KOTA KINABALU: The Bornean States' legal fraternity will continue working towards the return of rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, conduct outreach programmes to the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak, and uphold environmental laws.

       These were among the pledges made when the fraternity collectively renewed its vows at the opening of the Legal Year Sabah and Sarawak 2024 here on Friday (Jan 19).

       In his speech at the event, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli said the duties of lawyers went beyond just winning cases, extending to helping the courts uphold the rule of law by administering justice free from interference by any quarter.

       He said as the judiciary and legal profession evolved, such development must be anchored by the core principles of justice.

       He urged judges and legal practitioners to keep abreast of the latest developments in the law.

       Acknowledging the importance of digitalisation in the legal system, he said the integration of any technology, even artificial intelligence (AI), required constant monitoring and enhancement for it to remain reliable.

       The Chief Judge also thanked Datuk Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) for funding 70 new vehicles for the use of mobile courts in the Bornean states.

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       “This has made it easier to travel the roads of Sabah and Sarawak to provide legal aid to those outside the courtroom,” he added.

       He reminded the legal fraternity never to lose sight of the needs of people living in rural and far-flung areas.

       On sustainability and environmental laws, Abdul Rahman said the power of the judiciary in this aspect had its limitations.

       He said sustainable and long-term solutions would be more effective through executive and legislative measures but environmental causes were a primary focus of Sabah and Sarawak's legal fraternity as these states still have a lot of prime forest cover.

       The Chief Judge noted that an upcoming legal conference on Feb 26 would focus on environmental laws, human rights and constitutional laws.

       He hoped it would see resolutions to enhance cooperation in these areas.