The International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL) reaffirms its solidarity with Indigenous Kadazandusun Murut of Sabah as they commemorate the Oath Stone (Batu Sumpah) in Keningau last September 16. This annual commemoration is not only a remembrance of history, but a powerful assertion of ancestral rights, customary laws, and the binding promises made under the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 (MA63).
Batu Sumpah
The Batu Sumpah, unveiled on 31 August 1964 signifies the solemn pledge that Sabah’s Indigenous Peoples communities would retain their religious freedom, respect for native customs and traditions, and land ownership rights under the terms that led Sabah to join the Federation of Malaysia.
The Oath Stone is inseparable from MA63 itself. Both represent agreements that are yet to be fully realized. The Batu Sumpah is a living reminder that Sabah’s participation in Malaysia was conditional on guarantees that have too often been undermined. The growing clamor for the enforcement of MA63 provisions, and the recognition of Sabah’s equal partnership status, echoes the demands embodied in the Keningau Oath Stone.
Amid today’s land dispossession, environmental destruction, weakening of native institutions, and the erosion of customary rights facing Sabah, the Batu Sumpah stands as a rock foundation for justice. Recent developments, including the establishment of a Legal Advisory Committee of native lawyers and renewed support for strengthening native law institutions, highlight the continuing relevance of the Oath Stone to contemporary struggles. These initiatives aim to ensure that Indigenous heritage and rights remain protected and are backed by resources and enforcement.
Fight for Our Future
IPMSDL joins Moningolig Pogun Tokou (MOPOT) and different Indigenous movements, especially to the Indigenous women and youth, who continue to build and strengthen their movement in Sabah. Their steps in building leadership, harnessing the creativity, and dedication is important in the work for global fight for Indigenous Peoples rights.
The Women & Youth Conference entitled “Justice For Sabah & Justice For Batu Sumpah Keningau” held last September 16 participated by 150 indigenous leaders discussed ‘Kedaulatan dan Kesetiaan atau Pengkhianatan’ (Sovereignty and Loyalty or Betrayal) by the Malaysian Federal Government to the three guarantees inscribed in the sacred oath stone resulting with a seven point declaration:
- Reaffirmation of Sovereignty: Demand full recognition of Sabah’s autonomous rights under MA63, rejecting federal overreach that betrays the oath’s guarantees on land and customs.
- Restoration of Loyalty’s Covenant: Call for federal accountability for violations since 1964, including religious impositions and resource exploitation, through a royal inquiry under Article 153 and a Native Court summons under Article 145.
- Legal Advisory for Adat Protection: Establish a native-led committee to pursue sogit (customary fines) against breaches, inspired by the Sabah Native Chiefs Conference’s initiatives.
- Empowerment of Women and Youth: Prioritize indigenous women and youth in advocacy, ensuring their voices lead cultural revival and economic equity.
- International Solidarity: Seek UN and global support to address neo-colonialism, aligning with UNDRIP for self-determination and redress.
- Economic Justice: Reclaim 40% revenue shares from resources, addressing poverty rooted in betrayal of land authority.
- Cultural Revival and Unity: Promote adat ceremonies and memorials to break “in silence” suppression, fostering Borneo-wide unity for a sovereign future.
“These actions call for serious federal accountability: restitution through sogit fines, MA63 reforms, and justice for Sabah’s natives against neo-colonial sacrilege and exploitation leading to cultural genocide.” said Atama Katama of MOPOT.
“The right to self-determination is not symbolic. It is alive, and in the power of Indigenous communities to decide their futures,” said Paul Belisario, IPMSDL Global Coordinator shares. “Recognizing the Batu Sumpah as a national heritage landmark must therefore be accompanied by meaningful steps to honor MA63 and the promises of self-governance, autonomy, and respect for self-determination.”
The Batu Sumpah commemoration emphasizes how the struggles in the different countries and territories remains the strength of IPMSDL’s Fight For Our Future campaign that is building a movement uniting Indigenous struggles to defend land, rights, and sovereignty from state betrayal, corporate plunder, and climate catastrophe.
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