KENINGAU, Feb 12 — The Oath Stone here will be gazetted as National Heritage Site, said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
He said the stone would be gazetted as a heritage object under Section 49 of the National Heritage Act 2005 based on its importance and significance in Sabah’s history, especially in the formation of Malaysia.
“The Oath Stone is indeed important in Malaysia’s history. So, it is only right that it should be gazetted. Starting today, we will start the process to make the Oath Stone a national heritage,” he told reporters after being briefed about the stone at the Keningau District Office here today.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.
The Oath Stone was erected in front of Keningau District Office here in the 1960s, as a historical monument that served to assure the Sabahans that their rights to religious freedom, land, culture and customs were guaranteed and would continue to be protected by the Federal Government after Sabah became a part of Malaysia.
Commenting further, Mohamed Nazri said the state government through the Sabah Museum Department had agreed to gazette the Oath Stone under the State Cultural Heritage (Conservation) Enactment 1997.
“The ministry, through the National Heritage Department, will provide consultancy in the aspects of preservation and conservation, as well as protection, of the Oath Stone, especially during the relocation process and the re-inscription of the text on the plaque.
“As such, we are hoping to get the support and cooperation from the state government in the effort to protect the heritage object, building and site,” he added.
It was reported that the Keningau District Office had agreed to relocate the stone to a new site near the Keningau Heritage Museum, to enable visits from local and foreign tourists, hence turn it into another tourism product for the district. — Bernama
