KUCHING: The proposal to reinterpret the Iban adat of ‘Chelap Dapur’ and the reported imposition of a fine of up to RM500 for its violation is an example of a new approach in the reinterpretation of Iban adat by the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak (MAIS).
Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai in a statement today clarified that the reinterpretation of Adat Chelap Dapur mentioned in his State Legislative Assembly (DUN) winding up speech is not yet an adat and not even a proposal for recodification.
He said during engagement sessions with community leaders (Ketua Masyarakat and Ketua Kaum), there were requests to increase the quantum of fines or tunggu in the Iban adat.
“I mentioned an example of a fine under the Adat Chelap Dapur as ‘not exceeding RM500’. This is merely an example to illustrate a system of fines where a minimum and maximum penalty is fixed.
“Under this system, the court or Tuai Rumah has a discretion to fine a defaulter according to the seriousness of the offence.
“The court may impose RM1 or RM500 or any amount in between. I would like to remind everybody that the fine was just an example only,” he said in a statement today.
Sikie welcomed suggestions from the community, saying that there are provisions allowing communities to create their own adat if the codified adat is no longer relevant or suitable.
“An example would be the fixing of fee for non-participation in communal activities such as funeral wake, wedding, and community work,” he said.
He also clarified that MAIS does not have the authority to create adat.
“The adat must originate from the community to which it belongs. MAIS only assists in drafting and codifying the adapt into a Code of Adat. Once the draft is completed, it is presented to community leaders for their consent,” he explained.
Once consent is obtained, he said, the draft is then presented to the State Cabinet for consideration and approval. Upon approval, the adat becomes a full-fledged state law.
On Nov 26, political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan questioned the need for legislating the Chelap Dapur law, warning that mishandling such legislation could undermine the Ibans’ autonomy.
The Adat Iban ‘Chelap Dapur’ is a spiritual sanction requiring that the cooking place in a bilik (apartment or room in a longhouse) be used for cooking at least once a month.
Failure to do so is considered an offence and may result in a fine and require a spiritual ritual, as neglect is believed to bring misfortune to the longhouse members.
