The Fiduciary Doctrine as a New Pathway: An Alternative Approach to Analysing Native Customary Rights in Sarawak

Abstract

This paper explores the use of the fiduciary doctrine whereby the state is conceived as a fiduciary vis-à-vis her native peoples and attendant equitable remedies are made available for the native customary rights over land in Sarawak. Thus far, most challenges to extinguishment of native customary rights in Sarawak have proceeded on constitutional grounds, with little success. This article draws on the jurisprudence of fiduciary law in other parts of the Commonwealth and argues that this is a viable alternative cause of action against the state.