Sedomon Gunsanad Kina
Sodomon Gunsanad Kina (1894-1966) was a native chief of Keningau, in North Borneo, who later became a politician in unified Malaysia.
| Sodomon Gunsanad Kina | |
|---|---|
| O.K.K Sodomon | |
| Born | 1894 |
| Died | 8 March 1966 (aged 72) |
| Father | Gunsanad Kina |
Career
As a chief, Sodomon amicably settled disputes among villagers in Keningau. His active political career began in 1962. Together with his brother, G.S Sundang, Sodomon founded and led the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation. UPKO represented the native people of Sabah, or North Borneo, as it was known at that time.
The UPKO eventually controlled and gained a majority support of the indigenous people in the inland districts of Sabah, whereas another party, known as the UNKO (United National Kadazan Organisation), was formed in 1961 by Donald Stephens, held the minority. Later Stephens, would command the support of those on the coastal areas of North Borneo as well. Misunderstanding and differences in opinion between the UPKO and the UNKO possibly created the beginnings of a politically terminological division between the natives of North Borneo.
Sodomon was given the title of Orang Kaya-kaya (O.K.K) after the previous O.K.K, his father Datuk Seri Panglima O.K.K Gunsanad Kina died. He served as O.K.K. from 1936 until his death in 1966.
Contribution
Before 1963, O.K.K Gunsanad Kina, who was the Chieftain for the Interior Residency, had pursued the idea of self-government, which later evolved into the idea of a unified Malaysia. Sodomon supported the inception idea, on the condition that the rights of the native peoples be protected and safeguarded. Inscriptions on the Batu Sumpah Keningau partly detail Sodomon’s ideas. Three of the 20 points, namely Point One on freedom of religion, Point Six on immigration, and Point Twenty on land, forest, local government, etc., were based on Sodomon's ideas. Sodomon discussed his ideas with Razak during a meeting at the Rumah Besar mansion. Razak was prompted to consider Sodomon’s conditions when he said “If that is the case, people from the Peninsula would require a passport to enter Sabah”.
On 16 September 1963, the birth of a new nation within the South East Asian region, known as Malaysia, was marked. Subsequently, both Sodomon and his brother Sundang, were invited to the peninsula to see the success and effectiveness of the Alliance administration. This administration worked based on the concept of power sharing, and was led by the Malay majority party UMNO, together with the Chinese and Indians in the MCA and MIC, respectively. Their visit convinced the Sabahan leaders that the Malays did not control everything.
In his capacity as Paramount Chief of the Interior, Sodomon asked the British to declare a three-days festival, later known as the Kaamatan. Although an ethnic Dusun, Sodomon's intention was for Kaamatan to be a day for all Sabah natives. However, the British acceded only when Donald Stephens also made the request.
Death
On 8 March 1966, while at a dinner party, O.K.K Sodomon died suddenly from an unknown cause.
Awards and recognition
Sodomon was noted for his achievements in British North Borneo and awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II on 9 June 1961.
References
- O.K.K. Sedomon bin O.K.K. Gunsanad and his rumah besar. (1997). Sabah.
- Leong, C., & Sullivan, A. (1981). Commemorative history of Sabah 1881-1981. Kuala Lumpur.
- Leong, C. (1982). Sabah, the first 100 years. Kuala Lumpur: Percetakan Nan Yang Muda.