LETTER | We, the undersigned, would like to sternly remind the federal government, currently held by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, to uphold the three sworn promises of the Keningau Batu Sumpah (oath stone). 

The oath was made between the Federation of Malaysia and the people of interior Sabah led by GS Sundang and his elder brother OKK Sodomon Bin Gunsanad, back in the 1960s.

The three sworn promises are - absolute freedom of religion in Sabah, land matters in the state to be the absolute jurisdiction of the Sabah government, and that the federal government will undertake to preserve the customs and traditions of the people of Sabah. 

In return, the people of the interior districts of Sabah will swear their allegiance towards the Federation of Malaysia.

The Batu Bersumpah had been officiated by then Malaysian Federal Minister of Labour V Manickavasagam on Aug 31, 1964. The monument and its contents still stand today.

Recent developments have led to many questioning whether the federal government has the genuine intention to uphold these sworn promises, without which, the people of interior Sabah would have objected to the joining of the Federation of Malaysia together with Malaya, Sarawak and Singapore back in the 1960s.

Just a few days ago, PAS' Pasir Puteh MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh remarked in Parliament under parliamentary immunity that the Christian Bible had been distorted (dipesong). 

He later said that Christians have no right to be offended after he had been asked to apologise and retract his remarks. We wish to state that we are deeply upset and slighted by such a bigoted attitude shown by this MP. 

Parliament, being one of the three branches of the federal government besides the judiciary and executive, should have made its stance clear in upholding religious freedom by censuring Zawawi and referring him to the committee of privileges.

We state that even if there are parts in the Muslim and Christian holy text, which may contrast with each other, no one should impose their view of which is right or wrong towards the other, as it would amount to a fundamental breach of religious freedom as promised under the Batu Bersumpah. 

This religious freedom goes back to the very core values of the founding of this nation, especially to the people here in the interior region of Sabah.

In this regard, caretaker Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal, who is a Muslim, is an inclusive leader who understands the importance of meeting the needs of all Sabahans regardless of race and religion. 

Instead of the divide and rule tactic employed by the PN federal government, Shafie had brought everyone together when he had approved two days of public holiday for Christmas in the state.

Keningau MP Jeffrey Kitingan, together with his party Star, is currently part of the PN government and he has been conspicuously silent about the matter insulting the Christian bible. We call upon him to make his stand clear.

Besides religious freedom, another matter which goes to the heart of the people here in interior Sabah is land matters. As inscribed clearly on the Batu Bersumpah, the land matter is exclusive to the Sabah government.

Here, the Sabah government under Warisan had decided to abolish communal titles or geran komunial, and in exchange, issue individual titles to the natives who have been living and working on their respective lands. 

It is a recognition of an existing right, not the creation of something new. Therefore, it is wrong for the opposition to have claimed that it is something that can be "given" out like a handout.

Finally, in return for the people of Sabah pledging their allegiance towards the federal government, the latter ought to uphold Sabah’s sovereignty from any external claims, including by the Philippines. 

We find it very unbecoming for the Philippines to have continued to claim Sabah as if the people of Sabah are a commodity that can be traded at will.

We are glad that Parliament, led by Batu Sapi MP Liew Vui Keong, had on Aug 27 officially approved a parliamentary motion condemning the action taken by the Philippines House of Representative in their approval of a measure requiring the printing of Sabah on their citizen’s passport, which is a baseless and senseless act of provocation.

We hope that the federal government, pursuant to the sworn allegiance on the Batu Bersumpah, will similarly take stern actions against the Philippines and demand that they cease their provocation in treating Sabah as theirs when we, the people of Sabah, do not, have never, and will never agree with that. 

The above is signed by:

Jannie Lasimbang, who is DAP national central executive committee member, Sabah DAP Women chief and Sabah DAP natives consultative council chairperson,

Peter Saili, who is Sabah DAP vice-chairperson and Keningau party chairperson,

Noorita Saul, Tenom MP, Sabah DAP vice-chairperson and its Kemabong branch chairperson,

Adrian Banie Lasimbang, a senator and Sabah DAP political education director,

Clare Taunek Simbat, DAP Women Pensiangan head and Sabah DAP committee member, and

Grelydia Gillod Keningau DAP Youth chief and Sabah DAP committee member. 

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.