This Rural Administration Ordinance aims to regulate and administer rural areas in Sabah by establishing the legal framework for governance, order, and organization in rural communities. The primary objectives of the Ordinance are to (i) define the powers, duties, and responsibilities of Native Chiefs and Headmen, outlining their authority, administrative functions, and obligations such as assisting government officers, maintaining order, and reporting crimes or disease outbreaks; (ii) provide mechanisms for maintaining public order and safety in rural areas by empowering Native Chiefs, Headmen, District Officers, and Local Authorities to arrest offenders, enforce legislation, manage population movements, and regulate public behaviour to prevent crime; (iii) establish procedures to prevent famine and protect community welfare by granting authority to issue orders regulating the movement of people and foodstuffs; (iv) support government and local authority administration in rural communities by requiring Native Chiefs and Headmen to report crimes, disease, and disturbances, assist in revenue collection, and implement government directives; (v) allow the creation of village development and safety committees to support rural governance; (vi) provide the State Government with supervisory powers over rural areas.
Malaysia · 1951-12-06