Dr Edwin Bosi posed for a picture in one of the many replicas of the Keningau Oath Stone. This twin replicas was erected at Kg Moyog Penampang on May 13, 2015
PENAMPANG: The oath stone or “Batu Sumpah” is not just iconic but also immensely unique. In North Borneo stones were erected to mark land boundaries.
The oath stone was different whereby feuding tribes came to settle their differences with the erection of a stone.
Over the stone, both parties agree to settle their differences by taking an oath which was sealed with animal sacrifice usually pig, buffalo or chicken, the blood sprinkled on the stone.
Both parties believe that any party that rescind on the settlement will face dire consequences or familiarly speaking, a karma.
Dr Edwin Bosi who is Parti Anak Negeri Coordinator for the West Coast reminded the Federal Government of the three guarantees made to the natives of the Interior to facilitate the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
These guarantees are inscribed on a plaque attached on a special stone recovered from the Pagalan river at Keningau.
The “Bobohizans” or traditional priests performed their task with utmost fidelity, and the blood of chickens and pigs smeared over the stone to seal the guarantees.
Dr Bosi added that he had a personal talk with the late Tan Sri Richard Lind who was the District Officer at Keningau been charged to look for this special stone.
” In 2015, I was involved in making several replicas of the oath stone and erected them at Tulid Sook, Melalap Tenom, Kg Iban Merotai, Kg Gondi Matunggung and Kg Moyog Penampang, he said.
The main purpose of these replicas is to remind and to make aware to the “Anak Negeri” the significance of the Batu Sumpah in as far as the formation of Malaysia.
Dr Bosi added that more replicas of the Batu Sumpah will be erected.
Basically, the three guarantees made by the Federal Government are that there is religious freedom in Sabah, that land is controlled by the Sabah government and that native traditions and cultures are preserved and respected by the government.
Dr Bosi who is former Assemblyman for Kapayan said he is with Parti Anak Negeri (PAN) to continue to remind and to make aware of these very important guarantees made by the Federal Government.
They were not merely promise, Dr Bosi added. In view of this, there is no way for the government to rescind these guarantees.
Dr Bosi said he is worried about moves by some political parties in challenging the secularism in Malaysia.
“We can see religious extremism sprouting in the country. The guarantee of freedom of religion in Sabah however, cannot be compromised, ” he said.
Sabah land developed by the Federal government such as FELDA, FELCRA, RISDA should be for the purpose of development and thereafter, return to the State government.
The Native Court which oversees the native cultures, traditions and laws must be elevated to be in par with the Syariah and Civil Court system.
Dr Bosi reminded the Federal Government that by not fulfilling the guarantees of the Batu Sumpah there is consequence.
“We may be “feeling” these consequences unfolding before us.”
” It is therefore wise for the government to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to determine if the aspirations of the natives on the guarantees of the batu sumpah have been fulfilled,,”!he said.
By implementing the guarantees the aspiration of the natives is fulfilled.
