KENINGAU: The Native Court agreed that the present Oath Stone Memorial be moved to its place of origin so all communities in the interior, including tourists, can visit the stone.
The Lands and Surveys Department had been asked to provide a little space near where the original oath stone was planted.
“This is to avoid any other confusion; besides it will be easier for people to come for a closer look at the stone,” District Chief OKK Mohd Amir Datuk Arif told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
According to him, the oath stone belonged to all Malaysians, especially Sabahans regardless of political background, religion or ethnicity.
In fact, he said this historical stone had also become a treasure to people in this area, especially for the interior community.
He also strongly agreed with the proposal made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, who wanted to make this oath stone a national heritage due to its unique history.
There were suggestions that the oath stone be moved to the museum here but the Native Court did not agree because it was not an antique material for exhibition but a historical item during the formation of Malaysia.
According to Amir, it was better that the oath stone be returned to its original place as proposed by Kurup.
Kurup, who is also the member of parliament for Pensiangan, told the media after attending the Malaysia Day celebration and honouring the oath stone ceremony on September 15 that the oath stone be moved to its place of origin.
This, he said, was to enable the people to come visit the oath stone without restrictions.
If it was kept at the place now, the oath stone will also be moved in the event of development at this place.
“Before we develop this place, it is better to move the oath stone to its place of origin, as well as to avoid disputes from those who want to visit this oath stone because it is located in a government building, and building safety should be given top priority,” said Kurup.
Meanwhile, Amir said the people who wanted to visit the oath stone on September 16 should not blame the District Officer who shut the gate because he had the right to take security measures in the government property.
Amir also suggested that the ceremony to honour the oath stone be held every September 16 as it is the true history of the oath stone.