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THE inscription written on the plaque affixed to the Keningau Oath Stone which was unveiled on Sept 16, 1964 within the vicinity of previous Keningau District office outlines three demands sought by the natives in the interior as a condition for accepting the formation of Malaysia.By virtue of the pre - 1972 Spelling Reform (Malay Language), the Constitution Memorial Oath Stone outlined Three Points translated as follows:-

1. Freedom of Religion in Sabah

2. The Government of Sabah Holds Authority over Land in Sabah

3. Native Customs and Tradition Will Be Respected and Upheld by the Government

In return the People of Sabah's Interior pledged Loyalty to the Government of Malaysia.

The event was officiated by the Federal Minister of Labour, V Manickavasagam and witnessed by the State's first appointed Chief Minister Donald Stephens, President of United Kadazan Organisation (Unko), OKK Sundang Gunsanad together with other community leaders and traditional Native Chiefs hailing from every nook and corner of the Interior Residency (an area of 18,298 km2 comprising Beaufort, Nabawan, Keningau, Kuala Penyu, Sipitang, Tenom and Tambunan)

A traditional priest known as "Babalian" was engaged to conduct a ritual at the site involving an animal sacrifice to bind the guarantees set in the stone, based on Murut communal belief.

The monument is still intact until today, with its plaque and inscription specially erected as proposed by the North Borneo Legislative Council's Opposition Leader OKK G.S Sundang, the President of The United Pasok Nunukragang National Organisation, for the specific purpose of commemorating the terms in which the former British Crown Colony of North Borneo had joined hands with former Colony of Sarawak and other states of the Federation of Malaya to form a new nation.

Former Berjaya Assemblyman for Bingkor, Datuk Ayub Aman, has some knowledge of the chronology leading to the birth of the 20 Points.

He said the late OKK Datuk Sedomon Gunsanad had submitted and discussed a couple of proposals with Deputy Prime Minister late Tun Abdul Razak, during the latter sojourn to the historical Rumah Besar (Big House) located in Bingkor, about 10 km from Keningau back in 1962.

Razak was on his mission to explain to the people of Sabah, especially those living in the Interior Residency, of the potential in store for them if Sabah agreed to form Malaysia.

The event was hosted by Sedomon in the presence of about 5,000 people coming from many districts within the Interior.

OKK Datuk Sedomon Gunsanad who was the Chieftain for the Interior Residency had earlier pursued the idea of self-government first before deciding to form Malaysia. Forming Malaysia later turned out to be the choice.

Thus Sedomon with no option but to support the inception idea, on condition that the right of the people, particularly the Natives, must be protected or safeguarded.

The inscriptions on the Oath Stone (Batu Sumpah) partly constituted Sedomon's vision, identical to those forwarded to Razak by Sedomon at the Rumah Besar.

Firstly, Sedomon pointed out on the individual rights on the choice of social belief which mean there should be Freedom of Religion.

Secondly, once Sabah becomes part of Malaysia, he was worried about the influx of educated people from the peninsular gradually depriving local Sabahans of many socio-economic prospects in the State e.g jobs, business opportunities, etc.

Thirdly, the ownership of Land within the State.

Razak was prompt to consider Sedomon's conditions by giving a nod with the green light at the balcony of the Rumah Besar when he said "If that is the case, People from the Peninsular would require a Passport to enter Sabah".

OKK Datuk Sedomon Gunsanad had convinced his younger brother OKK Datuk G.S Sundang on the success of his negotiation with Razak, who would only need an endorsement from Tungku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister, as the final step before Sabah could join the new Federation.

It cannot, therefore, be disputed that three of his initiatives were incorporated as part of the 20 Points, namely Point One - The Freedom of Religion, Point 6 on Immigration and Point 20 on Land, Forest, Local Government, etc.

His role along with others during the pre-independence days should have been clearly defined in the chapter of our State's political history.

Subsequently, both brothers Sedomon and Sundang were invited to peninsular to see the success and effectiveness of the Alliance administration, which worked based on the concept of the power sharing led by the majority Malays in Umno, together with the Chinese and Indians in MCA and MIC, respectively.

This was further convince the Sabahan leaders that the Malays did not control everything.

Similar administrative political system has been used by the current BN Government to run the country since winning the mandate of the people in every general election held since independence.

What many are unaware is that it was Sedomon, in his capacity as Paramount Chief of the Interior who asked the British to declare three days for the Kaamatan as Harvest celebrations.

Although a Dusun, his intention was for it to be a day for all the natives of Sabah.

However, the British acceded only when Donald Stephens also made the request.

On 16th September 1963 marked the birth of a new nation within the South East Asian Region, known as Malaysia.

Controversies over the issue began to be heard at the height of PBS State Administration in mid-80s, especially upon quitting the BN coalition.

Lately, the issue was raised again by both Opposition and the Ruling Reps turning it into a popular headlines both in the press media and online news portal.

The State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Salleh Tun Said raffled the feathers when he said "20 Points no longer valid", giving the ground that it is already part of the Malaysian Constitution, (DE May 27th 2012), which drew the instant reaction of Kota Marudu MP Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili slamming Salleh that the 20 Points Malaysia Agreement is "forever valid" is a case in point.

Someone even thought of an idea to turn the issue into something more attractive and interesting as speculation of the 13th GE is rife via bringing it to stage for a public debate.

The Yayasan Islam Sabah Secretary General OKK Yahya Ahmad Shah who tipped such a challenged to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili and Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Lajim Ukim for a battle of the wits on the 20 points is another interesting example (Borneo Post May 30th, 2012)

The erection of the Oath Stone in question must serve its original purpose otherwise it could just be turned into an historical heritage.

To say that the 20 Points no longer valid is like adding salt to an injury, so to speak and appears as an insult to the Soul and Spirit of those who had vested their hard effort to turn their Visions and Missions into reality.

As a Baukan Murut hailing from a remote village located somewhere in the Trans Pegalan Valley in the Interior Residency and presently not affiliated with any political organisation in the State, I share the thoughts of those who are in the opinion that the 20 Points is still valid without which the creation of a new nation known as Malaysia would have not materialised.

Generally, the inscription of the Three Points on the Keningau Oath Stone which formed part of 20 Points Malaysia Agreement is a symbolic and authentic source of material testimony and reference, for the people of all ages to understand despite its simplicity.

Let it be there to shine the rays of lights and hope for the future generation to ponder until the end of time.