Premier’s Department of Sarawak (NC)
The proposed system has the potential to deliver multiple benefits:
For the Public
Easier access to native customary legal information
Clear guidance on documentation and procedures
Reduced confusion regarding cultural and legal obligations
For Legal Practitioners
Faster legal research and case preparation
Improved access to structured legal references
For Government Institutions
Improved knowledge management of customary laws
Greater accessibility to important legal information
Stronger preservation of cultural heritage
AI Agent Development
Malaysia
2026
Blackstone AI conducted a strategic discussion session with YB Datuk Jefferson Jamit, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department of Sarawak (Native Courts and Customs), to explore how artificial intelligence can assist in improving accessibility, documentation, and understanding of Sarawak’s native customary laws.
The meeting focused on the real challenges faced by both rural and urban communities when navigating matters related to customary traditions, documentation requirements, and legal processes within the Native Courts system.
The session also explored how AI-powered knowledge systems could support lawyers, administrators, and the public by providing faster access to accurate information on native legal processes.
Summary
Blackstone AI presented a concept that leverages Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) models to transform how native customary legal knowledge is accessed and understood.
The goal is to create an intelligent system that can:
Access documented native customary laws and ordinances
Retrieve relevant legal information instantly
Generate clear, structured responses for users
This system would serve as a digital knowledge assistant capable of helping both legal professionals and the general public navigate complex customary legal matters.
Challenge
Sarawak is unique in the world for having formal structures that document, preserve, and enforce native customary traditions through legal frameworks and ordinances. These systems protect the identity and cultural heritage of indigenous communities while ensuring that traditions continue to be respected in modern governance.
However, as society becomes more complex and urbanized, several challenges arise.
Many individuals—including those living in cities—often face difficulties understanding:
Native customs and traditions
Documentation requirements within the Native Court system
Legal processes related to marriage, inheritance, and cultural conduct
Without clear guidance or easily accessible information, individuals may struggle to determine what is permissible under native law and what procedures must be followed.
For government agencies and legal practitioners, this also creates operational challenges in responding to frequent inquiries and guiding the public through these processes.
Solutions
1. AI-Powered Native Law Knowledge Assistant
The proposed system uses RAG-based AI models to analyze legal documentation related to native customs and court procedures.
Users would be able to ask questions through a simple interface and receive:
Accurate explanations of native laws
Guidance on required documentation
Clarification of legal procedures
This would significantly reduce the time required to search through complex legal texts.
2. Support for Lawyers and Legal Officers
The system could also assist lawyers and Native Court officers by providing fast access to relevant legal references when handling cases involving:
Marital matters
Inheritance disputes
Customary conduct and cultural obligations
With AI-powered retrieval systems, legal professionals can access supporting references within seconds, improving efficiency in case handling.
3. Public Access to Legal Guidance
A public-facing interface could help individuals better understand native legal processes before approaching the courts.
This could include guidance on:
Documentation required for Native Court matters
Cultural practices recognized under customary laws
Steps involved in different legal proceedings
By simplifying access to information, the system empowers communities while preserving respect for traditional legal frameworks.
4. Preserving Cultural Heritage through Technology
Sarawak’s commitment to documenting native traditions is globally unique. The integration of AI systems offers an opportunity to strengthen the preservation of these traditions while making them more accessible to future generations.
Technology can help ensure that knowledge of customary practices remains structured, searchable, and understandable in a modern digital environment.
Additional Strategic Opportunities
During the session, the Deputy Minister also highlighted the tourism potential of Kapit, a region that remains largely untapped despite its unique cultural and natural landscapes.
The conversation opened possibilities for exploring how digital platforms and AI technologies could support:
Cultural tourism initiatives
Heritage documentation
Digital storytelling of indigenous traditions
These opportunities could contribute to both economic development and cultural preservation.
Prototype Development
Following the discussions, the Blackstone AI team began preparing a prototype RAG-based system that demonstrates how native customary legal knowledge can be accessed through AI-powered queries.
The prototype will allow stakeholders to:
Interact with the knowledge system
Test legal information retrieval capabilities
Provide feedback for further development and integration
