Ex-State Secretary Richard Lind passes away at 98
Published on: Saturday, March 20, 2021
Kota Kinabalu: Tan Sri Richard Lind who played a key role in convincing the interior natives to agree to the formation of Malaysia through the erection of the Keningau Batu Sumpah or Oath Stone passed away peacefully around noon Saturday at his residence at Signal Hill, here.
According to his son Douglas, a veteran lawyer and legal advisor to the previous state government, Lind died of old age and short of his 99th birthday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Lind, who served as State Secretary under the Usno state government, was instrumental to having the Batu Sumpah erected, although a year after independence through the formation of Malaysia on 16.9.1963 when first appointed Chief Minister Donald (later Tun Fuad) Stephens realised that the interior natives were still opposed to the formation of Malaysia.
Stephens dispatched Lind, who was then resident of Keningau, to find out from the natives such as Sedomon what they continued to be worried about about the merger.
He found out that their worries mainly pertained to the freedom of religion despite Islam being the official religion, State jurisdiction over lands and upholding native customs.
Although these core demands were contained in the 20 Points safeguards, the natives said they do not trust what is agreed on paper and wanted it cast in stone.
ADVERTISEMENT
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
