These posts were vacated after the en bloc sacking of all native and village chiefs by the Warisan-led government which took over from Barisan Nasional four months back.

“The absence of native and village chiefs has somewhat created chaos in the administration of culture and traditions, such as solemnising engagements or marriages and even presiding or resolving disputes over native customs,” said PBS deputy president Maximus Ongkili today.

He said matters involving native culture and traditions were important and could not be taken lightly.

“Unfortunately, Parti Warisan Sabah seems to be taking this matter lightly. This proves that they care very little about native customs.

“They spend most of their time building homes for illegal immigrants and giving documents to foreigners,” Ongkili said.

He said such issues do not affect Muslims that much as they can be solemnised by Islamic religious leaders.

“For KDMR, there must be qualified appointed native leaders to preside over customs.”

This matter was raised during the Tandek PBS Women and Youth joint meeting here on Thursday.

“PBS received complaints that in many villagers here, couples planning to get engaged or married cannot do so due to the vacated native or village chief posts.

“Many are forced to postpone their engagements or marriages. This disrespects the native customs of the KDMR communities.

“People are now wondering why it is taking Warisan so long to choose the community heads. They are being irresponsible and this ‘don’t care attitude’ must stop.

“Is this delay caused by the fact that the Warisan-led state government’s legal status has not been decided by the courts?

“Perhaps they lack confidence in managing the state knowing that their legal status is still pending,” Ongkili added.

Former chief minister Musa Aman has filed a suit claiming he is the lawful person to administer the state, instead of Chief Minister Shafie Apdal.