State State Reform Party (Star Sabah) is to sue the police and the government for refusing to allow it to celebrate Malaysia Day at Batu Sumpah (Oath Stone monument) in Keningau.

Over 200 members and supporters of the party had wanted to celebrate the auspicious occasion  at the monument on September 16, but were prevented by fully armed police.

The monument was erected by the people of Sabah which bears their pledge of loyalty to the federation of Malaysia in return for the latter’s assurance that it would  would honour religious freedom and that the land, forest and natural resources belong to the state.

The people had also sought assurance that their native customs, adat and traditions would be safeguarded.

In a statement Star Sabah chief Jeffrey Kitingan (right ) said that they have referred the police action to their lawyers for legal action to be taken against them and the government.

"The police action in preventing the people from honouring their pledge at Batu Sumpah on Malaysia Day is another step of the government dishonouring and disregarding the terms of the formation of Malaysia," said the Bingkor State assemblyperson.

He added that the issue had been referred to their panel of lawyers to consider the for  action to be taken against them, said the Bingkor state assemblyperson.

Pledge in stone removed

Jeffrey also condemned the government’s removal of key words 'kerajaan Malaysia jamin' (Malaysian Government guarantees) from the monument  as it showed that it could not be trusted as it continued to change anything it wanted, including the history of Malaysia and the rights of Sabah and Sarawak.

"What is the meaning and intention of the government in removin the key words from the 'Batu Sumpah'?

"By removing the key words, the government of Malaysia can now say that they do not guarantee religious freedom, that forest and natural resources do not belong to Sabah and that they cannot safeguard native customs, adat and traditions.

"It reflects the insincere and bad intention of the government," he said.

On prime minister's announcement that from next year there would be no indication of the years of 'Merdeka' and that 'Merdeka' would be celebrated on Aug 31, Jeffrey said that it was a blatant distortion and disregard of the formation of Malaysia.

"There can be no denial that Malaysia did not exist before 1963 and that it was never colonised and never granted independence by Britain.

"Why then celebrate Malaysia's independence? There is no issue if the independence of Malaya is to be celebrated, but be truthful and say so, it is the independence of Malaya, not Malaysia.

"It is history that Malaysia was formed on Sept 16, 1963. It is the most important event in the history of Malaysia. So why is it an issue that there is no necessity to declare how many years since Malaysia was  formed?" he asked.

Jeffrey also questioned why there was no celebration of Malaysia Day in the peninsula.

"Is Malaysia Day only for Sabah and Sarawak? Is it because the powers that be want some people to think that Malaysia was formed or gained independence in 1957?

“Whatever the reasons and excuses, the actions of the current government only show that it can no longer be trusted,” he lamented.