Kuala Lampur, April 21 -- The federal government is relocating the Registrar of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu effective May 1, according to a circular leaked online.

Chief Registrar of the Federal Court Datuk Seri Latifah Mohd Tahar announced the unusual move in a circular dated April 19 and reportedly sent to the country's legal bodies and fraternity.

East Malaysian lawyers and lawmakers have expressed shock and concern over the relocation, with some questioning the legality and constitutionality of the move.

"Did the prime minister consult the chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak and the Chief Judge of the High Court? I don't think so," lawyer Shankar Ram told the DayakDaily portal.

According to t...