Oath Stone replica up at Kg Moyog in DAP campaign
Published on: Sunday, January 18, 2015
KOTA KINABALU: DAP Sabah erected another Batu Sumpah at Km 28, Kampung Moyog, in Penampang on Jan 11 despite resistance from the village chiefs and village security and development committee (JKKK) chairmen during the campaign throughout Sabah.DAP Sabah Secretary Dr Edwin Bosi said the first Batu Sumpah replica at Kampung Kionsom, Inanam was met with a traditional fine or "sogit" of one buffalo by the village chief of Kampung Kionsom simply because the organiser "did not inform" him about the ceremony. The erection of the Batu Sumpah at Kampung Kionsom was well publicised and right now DAP is waiting for the official letter from the village chief concerning the "sogit".
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Dr Bosi, who is Kapayan Assemblyman, said the erection of the Batu Sumpah at Kampung Mempulut, Pensiangan was not without any incident.After the erection of the stone the organiser (owner of the land where the Oath Stone was planted) and a woman were beaten by a villager who is believed to be a strong BN component party supporter. A police report has been lodged by the victims. In Moyog, the village chief and JKKK warned the villagers that their attendance at the Batu Sumpah erection ceremony would cause them their government aid such as BR1M and so forth, he said.Dr Bosi, who is the Chairman of DAP Sabah Native Consultative Council, said the Batu Sumpah campaign has now caught the attention of the people.
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"So many Sabahans do not even know that such Batu Sumpah existed what more, the three very important vital and pertinent guarantees made by the Malaysian Government to the indigenous people of Sabah. "Our campaign to erect the Batu Sumpah in every village in Sabah is gaining momentum. After the people are aware of this Batu Sumpah and the guarantees, we will move towards asking the Government to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the Batu Sumpah to determine if the dreams and aspirations of the indigenous people and people of Sabah has been fulfilled after 51 years in Malaysia or otherwise," he said.
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Dr Bosi said Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang had raised the Batu Sumpah issue in Parliament, followed by DAP Sabah Chairman and MP for Kota Kinabalu Jimmy Wong. "The latter is now called by fellow MPs as MP Batu Sumpah. Jimmy Wong and I have spoken about the Batu Sumpah in the DAP National Retreat today (Jan. 17) and we have been promised good support from the leaders to this erection of Batu Sumpah campaign," he said.Dr Bosi said DAP Sabah started the Batu Sumpah erection campaign because he claimed the authority did not allow the people to go and perform the annual ritual on Aug. 31 last year. "As we also realised the Batu Sumpah in the Keningau District Office compound is a fake one since three words 'Kerajaan Malaysia Jamin' (Malaysian Govt guarantees) are missing. The Oath Stone 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 finally secured after their wishes to have their demands cast in stone were met.It was erected in 1964 with permission granted by the outgoing British administration when it was found out that the Interior natives led by OKK Sedomon 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) a year earlier on 16.9.1963.The appointed State Government of then Chief Minister Donald (later Tun Fuad Stephens) despatched then Keningau Resident Richard Lind (now Tan Sri) to find out what could be done to appease them.In return for their acceptance of Malaysia, the natives told Lind that they did not trust whatever was promised on paper in the discussions leading to the merger unless they were cast in stone. These related to three of the key 20-Points, namely freedom of religion, jurisdiction over State land and preservation of native customs. They said these should be accompanied with the words "Kerajaan Malaysia Jamin (Malaysian Government guarantees) and be subjected to a ritual involving priestesses in line with native tradition.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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