KUCHING: The rainy weather did not dampen the spirit of 600 legal practitioners from within and outside the country who enlivened the opening procession of the Legal Year for Sabah and Sarawak 2025 held here today (Jan 10).
The 1.1km procession from the Old Courthouse to the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC) included delegates from Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Peninsular Malaysia and began as early as 7.50am.
Led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, the procession not only marked the official start of the judicial year for the two regions located on the island of Borneo but also aimed to strengthen the rule of law and judicial independence in the country.
The procession was also joined by the president of the Court of Appeal, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim; the Chief Judge of Malaya, Datuk Seri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim; the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli; the Attorney-General, Datuk Mohamad Dusuki Mokhtar; the Attorney-General of Sarawak, Datuk Seri Saferi Ali; and the Attorney General of Sabah, Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh.
Following the procession, an annual meeting was held to discuss community reports, legal developments, increasingly complex global challenges and the importance of the rule of law.
For the record, the opening procession of the Legal Year for Sabah and Sarawak is an important traditional event marking the official start of the legal year for these two regions.
It began after the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963, when Sabah and Sarawak joined the Federation of Malaysia.
This event is inspired by a similar tradition in the British Parliament, which features a ceremonial opening of parliament with grandeur and tradition to celebrate the start of the annual legislative session. The State Legislative Assemblies (DUN) of Sabah and Sarawak will debate various important issues and enact new laws.
The procession not only reflects the sovereignty and cultural heritage of the Borneo region but also demonstrates the spirit of democracy and unity in Malaysia’s legal system.
It also serves as a platform to highlight the achievements and vision of the state governments, as well as to commemorate the legal traditions deeply rooted in the parliamentary democratic system.
