Call to lift ban on book

PENAMPANG: Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (PAN) has called for the immediate lifting of the ban on the book ‘Golden Son of the Kadazan', which documented the life and struggles of the late Datuk Peter Mojuntin.

Its president, Datuk Henrynus Amin, described the continuing ban on the book by the federal government after 36 years as “mystifying, unjustified and politically suspect”.

“The book should be read by all Malaysians as a historical document to shed the light on the missing link in the early political history of Sabah,” Henrynus said, when met at the handing over ceremony of Kapayan assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi's membership to PAN.

Henrynus is suggesting to the Federal Home Affairs Ministry to lift the ban on the book as a gesture of goodwill to the Kadazandusun and Murut community.

He explained that the continuing ban of the book, which was written by Bernard St Maria, can be misconstrued as something sinister and threatening to be hidden from the younger generation.

“There is no compelling reason to ban the book as the late Datuk Peter was a towering figure in Malaysian history, especially in creating and promoting Kadazan nationalism and political awareness.

“The fact that he was critical of the federal government and had strongly opposed Islamization under Tun Mustapha's rule in Sabah should not be held against him forever,” Henrynus pointed out.

He asserted that the late Datuk Peter was a proponent of Kadazan nationalism, state rights and religious freedom as enshrined in the Federal constitution, the Malaysian Agreement and the Keningau Oath Stone.