Sabah DAP: Nothing can alter guarantees
Published on: Tuesday, August 04, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: DAP Sabah's Native Consultative Council erected the sixth Batu Sumpah replica at Kampung Mansiat, Sook of Pensiangan on July 25. The ceremony was a joint celebration with the anniversary of Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS).DAP Sabah secretary, Dr Edwin Bosi who is Chairman of the DAP Sabah Native Consultative Council said the indigenous people, particularly from the Interior were not aware of the historical traditional legal document.
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"In the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, the government of Malaysia took to having the guarantees to the natives of the Interior carved on an oath stone. "Unless the guarantees are given and inscribed on a stone, the natives would not agree to support the government of Malaysia," he said.Dr Bosi who is Kapayan Assemblyman said the three guarantees were freedom of religion in Sabah, land under the control of the Sabah government and that the native customs and tradition would be protected and preserved by the government.He said that nothing can change or alter these guarantees as they are carved on an oath stone.
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"This is a tradition system of writing an agreement between parties which included the sacrifice of animals such as chicken, pigs and buffalo. The indigenous people believe should any parties fail to fulfil the agreement, bad omen will befall on them. "This particular batu sumpah is different in that the agreement is in the form of guarantees," he said.
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Dr Bosi said that stories of poor native Christians in the rural areas being converted to Islam by certain groups were not good. "The natives have been guaranteed freedom of religion. I hope the government will take action against these groups as it will affect the unity, harmony and peace that we are enjoying in Sabah. "That is why erecting a replica of the batu sumpah in every village is important to remind them and "outsiders" of the guarantees," he said.Meanwhile, he said the anniversary of JOAS reflected its fight for the rights of the indigenous people."It is very saddening that the indigenous people are losing their NCR land to big plantations and well-connected individuals. We also learned that their many land applications are still stuck in the land office. "Some of the applicants have passed away, never knowing the fate of their land applications. The communal lands are good only if they are subdivided and titled accordingly for the people," he said.Dr Bosi hoped to see the completion of the Native Court buildings in Kampung Kibabaig, Penampang and other districts so that the Native Courts can dispense native justice more efficiently and effectively. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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