Kota Kinabalu: Former Usno administration State Secretary, Tan Sri Richard Lind, has positively identified to police that a plaque found recently in Keningau is the original that was affixed onto the Oath Stone (Batu Sumpah) but mysteriously replaced following road widening work near the District Office in the 1980s."I don't have the slightest doubt over its authenticity since it was me who carried out the task (of erecting the Oath Stone) under the instructions of the first State Cabinet," said Lind, in an exclusive to Daily Express, Monday.The Sabah Oath Stone is unique as it is the only such form of acceptance known in the world where an indigenous community's response towards the formation of a new nation was only secured after their wishes to have their demands literally cast in stone were met.
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Lind said since the mystery of the missing plaque and its authenticity is now solved, he hoped it can be reinstated in keeping with the wishes of the Interior natives at that time."When the stone was unveiled in time for the first anniversary of Malaysia Day on 31 August 1964, the State Cabinet invited Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman or his Deputy Tun Abdul Razak to witness it. However, both were unable to come and a Federal Minister, Manikavasagam, represented them. The Agong was also present. "It will be meaningful if the Prime Minister is able to witness its reattachment together with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and State Cabinet Ministers, if possible, during the coming Malaysia Day celebrations," he said."It would serve to reaffirm the pledges made 50 years ago to the people of Sabah."
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Lind said one of the first things he looked for when police brought the plaque to him was the words "Kerajaan Malaysia Jamin" (Malaysian Government guarantees). "This was very important to the Interior natives at the time because many of them were pagans or Christians," he said. When told that the plaque that was found by a former Council worker who then surrendered it to Star Sabah head Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan appeared different from photographs published in later years, Lind said this was because another layer was placed over it years later to make the wordings clearer.
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"But even in the new added layer, the words 'Kerajaan Malaysia Jamin' were still there. It was only after the road project that the plaque was found replaced with the three key words missing," he said.Lind believed what could have happened was that in moving the stone to facilitate the road widening, someone must have decided that it was an opportune time to replace the plaque minus the key words and that hopefully this would go unnoticed."Whoever it was must have done so with mischievous intent and politically motivated because the three words carried great meaning and could not have been an oversight," he said."Besides, there was also no reason for the contractor who did the road to tamper with the plaque for whatever reason because it was consecrated with the blood of chicken by high priestesses in line with adat and had to be respected. So I can only presume that it was done in bad faith or under instructions. But it's just my view."Recalling the events that led to laying of the stone, Lind said he was asked by first appointed Chief Minister Donald (later Tun Fuad) Stephens to find out from the interior natives why they were still opposed to the colony of British North Borneo becoming Sabah through the formation of Malaysia (by way of merger with Malaya, Singapore and Sarawak on 16.9.1963)."I formed a committee and asked them what their fears were and they said while they see Malaysia as a good thing they were not sure if they could trust the future leaders in Malaya."Lind said the committee members included, among others, OKK Sedomon Gunsanad, OKK Angian Andulag and Jamie Gunsanad.The natives told Lind that they also did not trust whatever was promised on paper in the Malaysia discussions unless they were cast in stone."They told me they feared what Malaysia may mean to Sabah's future generations especially the prospect of them eventually losing their autonomy and identity. They wanted iron-clad guarantees that this would not happen, especially relating to native adat (customs), control over lands and religion." Lind added: "But I said to them 'everything is in the constitution and we are protected under the constitution'. "They replied 'it is the politicians in Malaya that we do not trust because they can always change the constitution tomorrow. What will happen to us then? Even the 20 Points will be disregarded with time but if the key conditions are laid out on an Oath Stone they can't do it (amend). Once it is consecrated disaster or misfortune will result.'"Hence, three of the key 20-Points, namely freedom of religion, jurisdiction over State land and preservation of native customs – which they said mattered to them most – had to be permanently inscribed."In fact the words 'Kerajaan Malaysia Jamin' was upon the insistence of the committee and they wanted it subjected to a ritual involving priestesses in line with native tradition When the wording was ready, I presented it to Stephens for his approval."Lind said Stephens then agreed that we do something different for the sake of the interior natives in the method they deemed appropriate. "In those days disputes were settled in the Kinabatangan via Oath Stones and previously being the ADO there (Assistant District Officer), I learnt about their use and suggested this to Stephens after getting the committee's consent.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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