Oath Stone rite: Why DAP request rejected
Published on: Friday, September 04, 2015
Keningau: District Police Chief DSP Douglas Nyeging Taong said police allowed a group to visit and conduct prayer rituals at the Oath Stone on Merdeka Day (Aug 31). "I allowed them to hold the ritual at the Oath Stone as it had nothing to do with politics."He said an application from the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) to hold a celebration at the Oath Stone was rejected because they did not fulfil the requirement of filing it 10 days in advance.Hence, permission was only given to local residents who wanted to hold a ritual and everyone returned to their respective villages after the ritual. ADVERTISEMENT Merdeka Day was made merrier in the district with the birth of seven babies, including babies born to foreigners. On dialysis patients, Keningau Hospital Director Dr Riduan Hashim also said that the district has about 20 machines to treat kidney problems. More than 110 kidney patients come each week for kidney treatment. "The service is available from 8am to 10pm. We advice people to take care of their kidney and to take nutritious food," he said, adding that kidney problems usually arise from high blood pressure and diabetes. ADVERTISEMENT Keningau District Officer Yusop Osman said the district saw Merdeka Day event which was officiated by Rural Development Minister Datuk Radin Malleh, who is also Melalap Assemblyman.About 30 teams took part in the event which was followed by a convoy of some 1,000 people, including vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists.
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Merdeka Day was also celebrated in villages like Kg Merampong where a competition to beautify the village was held. Among the activities was making a logo for gong (musical percussion instrument that takes the form of a flat, circular metal disc which is hit with a mallet).Yusop said decorations showcased in Kg Merampong had been picked to be included in the district-level competition held throughout the State. Meanwhile, vehicle owner Arifuddin Aleke went home proud when his vehicle, decorated with 133 flags, was picked the winner. He said he spent about RM1,500 in decorating the vehicle since 2009 to enhance awareness on patriotism. Meanwhile, the 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.Former State Secretary Tan Sri Richard Lind 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 Sept 16, 1963).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.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.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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The original plaque had the words "Kerajaan Malaysia Jamin" (Malaysian Government Guarantees) but this was replaced with another plaque with the key words missing.The original plaque was found recently and is in the hands of the police.