SAPP fears DAP's Oath Stone replicas will cause disharmony
Published on: Sunday, December 28, 2014
KOTA KINABALU: Opposition SAPP Vice President Aloysius Danim Siap said DAP's Oath Stone replicas will cause disharmony among the people, citing the assault case in Kg Mempulut, Sook where a landowner was assaulted by a Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) member. "Before this, we never hear of such ruckus from the peace loving people of Sook."I feel DAP's efforts are insulting Momogun cultures and beliefs. When the original Keningau Oath Stone was erected, it was a solemn and sacred ceremony which was conducted by high priestesses or bobolians. "Definitely not red ribbons affairs. We do not want our (Adat) custom to be tainted with cheap political gimmicks. Why do we need Malayan (peninsula) leaders to officiate a Momogun ceremony?" Aloysius asked.
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Meanwhile, a NGO viewed the erection of multiple oath stone replicas by DAP as unnecessary. According to Pertubuhan Mamagun Sabah, rural folks are well informed about the Keningau oathstone's historical significance and the move to erect replicas was wasteful. Its president Rudy Mairi said DAP is manipulating the Oath stone controversy for political mileage as many viewed the oath stone as sacred. "Although they (DAP) erected the replicas to raise the awareness of communities over the existence of the oath stone, DAP should know there is only one original oathstone erected in Keningau since 1964," he said. The Keningau oathstone was erected to remind the pledges of the Federal Government to protect the rights of Sabah's indigenous when forming Malaysia, including freedom of religion and State jurisdiction over land.
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