Celebrating K'gau's historical role
Published on: Saturday, June 25, 2016
Keningau: Some leading State figures who played a major role in the district's development are expected for the launch of "Keningau – Heritage and Legacy in the Interior Residency" by historian Abednigo Chow Yau Shung.According to publisher Datuk CL Chan, among those invited to Perkasa Hotel this Sunday include former Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh, Tan Sri Richard Lind and Tan Sri Suffian Koroh."This book based on the history of Keningau is an attempt to explore all the aspects of life, experiences and recollections of our forebears who had gone through a lot, with changes over the years, since the rise of the British Empire to present day," the author said.
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"In the 1960s, nationhood was at its height when Sabah as North Borneo was renamed and gained its independence, followed by the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, which the prominent leaders in Keningau played major roles by ensuring safeguards and guarantees for Sabah."The people of North Borneo really felt deeply regarding their safeguards and interests: No State religion in North Borneo, the use of English as the official language without time limit, control over education, finance and immigration, Borneonisation and a new Federal Constitution."The name Keningau is the local name for cinnamon, a popular spice condiment used by natives, much sought after in market overseas. Since the beginning of the early settlements, Keningau had been made known around the world from the export of jungle products, notably Kayu Manis or cinnamon.
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Kayu Manis was collected from Keningau and sent to Jesselton via rail from Tenom to be shipped abroad to Great Britain for distribution to the trade market around Europe.Going back into history, in 1893, Keningau began its humble village beginnings when it was officially administered by the British North Borneo Chartered Company, which set up a Station and later a District Office.
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This enabled the company to expand and extend government control in the Interior Residency.Development and infrastructure began to improve for the local inhabitants until the administration of the Chartered Company was halted by the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945.Sabah's pre-WWII Chinese Consul General Cho Huan Lai was executed in Keningau by the Japanese. After the Second World War, the township had to rebuild itself and pick up the pieces. Slowly but eventually the town grew until the invasion of West Malaysians and Sarawakians with the loggers coming onto the property development scene like Bornion shophouses.Harris once called it the 'cowboy town' due to its town planning or lack of it.Keningau, long known as a timber boom town before the advent of oil palm, has seen timber extraction benefiting the economy. However, excessive logging and deforestation became a reality when William Stephen Holley, former District Officer of Keningau and Interior Resident, prior to his departure to the United Kingdom in 1964, had prophesied how timber would be squandered if it got out of control. His biography was penned by James Sarda, Chief Editor of Daily Express.This historical district hosts Malaysia's only Oath Stone, which materialises from the quality leadership of its native people prior to the formation if Malaysia, testify to its dominance in the affairs of the State. Keningau's OKK Sedomon bin Gunsanad was the natives' true Paramount Chief. Sedomon, unlike other native leaders, demonstrated his leadership in the 20 Points and the Oath Stone.Daily Express recently highlighted the discrepancy between the original Oath Stone plaque and its replacement, and the eventual recovery of the original, arousing much public attention. It is among the kind of historic news that the district is capable of generating and attracting.Keningau, long underestimated, is not just another district in Sabah. It is a district or residency where the only Oath Stone pertains to Malaysia rests (albeit moved from its original site) guaranteeing certain conditions:Oath Stone based on the Constitution:The Malaysian Government guarantees: (this was removed in the replacement plaque.)1. Freedom of religion in Sabah2. The Government of Sabah holds authority over lands in Sabah.3. Native traditions and customs should be respected and preserved by the Government.In return, people of the Interior Residency pledged their loyalty to the Government of Malaysia.By 1962 and 1963, political awareness had just begun and in December 1962, the Local Government elections took place. People would cast their ballot papers and elect their candidates from Town Boards, District Councils to the Legislative Council.The author spent years documenting and collecting hundreds of never-seen-before photographs to be reproduced in the quality book that has attracted global attention as far as Australia where the 7th Field Squadron Group of the Royal Australian Engineers once served in the district during the Confrontation, building projects like the Keningau-Sook Road.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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