PENAMPANG: The oath stone, known as “Batu Sumpah,” is not only a significant landmark but also a remarkable artifact.
In North Borneo, stones were traditionally used to delineate land boundaries. However, the oath stone stands apart as it was established to resolve disputes between conflicting tribes.
Upon this stone, the involved parties would take an oath to resolve their issues, often accompanied by an animal sacrifice—typically a pig, buffalo, or chicken—whose blood was then sprinkled on the stone. It is believed that any party that violates this agreement will suffer severe repercussions, commonly referred to as karma.
Dr. Edwin Bosi, the Parti Anak Negeri Coordinator for the West Coast, urged the Federal Government to honor the three commitments made to the indigenous peoples of the Interior during the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
These commitments are engraved on a plaque affixed to a unique stone retrieved from the Pagalan River in Keningau.
The “Bobohizans,” or traditional priests, executed their duties with great dedication, applying the blood of chickens and pigs to the stone to affirm these commitments.
Dr. Bosi recounted a personal conversation with the late Tan Sri Richard Lind, the district officer in Keningau, who was tasked with locating this significant stone. In 2015, he stated, “I participated in creating several replicas of the oath stone, which were installed in Tulid Sook, Melalap Tenom, Kg Iban Merotai, Kg Gondi Matunggung, and Kg Moyog Penampang. The primary aim of these replicas is to educate the ‘Anak Negeri’ about the importance of Batu Sumpah in relation to the formation of Malaysia.” He also mentioned plans for additional replicas of Batu Sumpah to be established.
Essentially, the three commitments made by the Federal Government include ensuring religious freedom in Sabah, granting land control to the Sabah government, and upholding and respecting native traditions and cultures.
Dr. Bosi, the former Assemblyman for Kapayan, expressed his commitment to Parti Anak Negeri (PAN) in order to continually highlight and raise awareness about the crucial guarantees provided by the Federal Government. He emphasized that these are not mere promises, asserting that the government cannot retract these commitments.
He also voiced his concerns regarding certain political parties that are challenging the principle of secularism in Malaysia, noting the emergence of religious extremism within the country.
Dr. Bosi stressed that the guarantee of religious freedom in Sabah must remain intact. He pointed out that land developed by the Federal Government, including projects like FELDA, FELCRA, and RISDA, should focus on development and subsequently be returned to the State government. Furthermore, he advocated for the Native Court, which governs native cultures, traditions, and laws, to be elevated to a status comparable to that of the Syariah and Civil Court systems.
Dr. Bosi cautioned the Federal Government about the repercussions of failing to uphold the guarantees of the Batu Sumpah, suggesting that the consequences may already be manifesting.
He recommended the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to assess whether the aspirations of the natives regarding the Batu Sumpah guarantees have been met. By honoring these guarantees, the government can fulfill the aspirations of the natives while avoiding any negative outcomes.