KOTA KINABALU: DAP Sabah secretary Dr Edwin Bosi clarified that the ritual conducted for the oath stone in Keningau on August 31 was by the indigenous people of Sabah, in particular those from the Interior.
“What they are doing is what was promised during the erection of the oath stone, where three basic fundamental promises were agreed to by the Malaysian government with the natives of the Interior in return for their loyalty,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Dr Bosi, who is the Kapayan assemblyman, said it was saddening that the government and the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) had failed to undertake the ritual.
“The indigenous NGO, such as JOAS or Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (Malaysian indigenous people network) led by Adrian Lasimbang has undertaken the important task to carry on with the ritual lest the spirits will be offended.
“Unfortunately, the oath stone, which is inside the compound of the District Office of Keningau, was inaccessible on August 31 as the premises was locked.
“The authority that had given permission to the indigenous group to enter the premises retracted the letter allowing entry at the 11th hour, supposedly on the belief that DAP parliamentary leader, Lim Kit Siang, would be present,” he said.
Dr Bosi said he was impressed with the initiative and the ability of the young indigenous leaders in coming out with an alternative proposition to circumvent the decision of the government to stop them from entering the district office compound to perform the ritual on the oath stone.
The group had taken it upon themselves to carry a replica stone from Sook and erected it under a raintree a few metres away from the district office to perform the ritual according to tradition.
“In light of the fact that the government and KDCA appear to be trying to forget such an important part of history, Kit Siang has recommended that a replica of the ‘batu sumpah’ is erected in every native village as a reminder.
“DAP Sabah will also make a smaller replica of the ‘batu sumpah’ to be placed on the table to serve as a reminder to the people of Sabah and Malaysia,” he said.
Dr Bosi, who is chairman of the DAP Sabah Native Consultative Council, has expressed surprise as to why BoPIM or Borneo Plight for Malaysia Foundation chairman Daniel John Jambun is unhappy with the presence of Kit Siang at the ritual to remember the promises on the oath stone.
“How could Jambun say that the ‘batu sumpah’ is not Kit Siang’s business? Jambun has apparently forgotten history because during the erection of the oath stone there were non-indigenous politicians such as Labour Minister V. Manikavasagam and several local Chinese community leaders in attendance.
“I call on Jambun and BoPIM Foundation to support the indigenous group such as JOAS by actively participating in their programs instead of becoming armchair critics.
“I believe many NGOs are beginning to feel that their actions have not been taken seriously by the government of late.
“Thus, the leaders of these NGOs must now make another decision, which is to participate in politics to further their cause more effectively.
“Joining a national party like DAP would be a wise move. The problems of the indigenous people of Sabah must be raised at the highest level as possible,”Dr Bosi stressed.
He also said that if political leaders such as Kit Siang are prepared to help the indigenous people of Sabah achieve their dreams and aspirations, why reject it.