Govt to consider lifting ban on ‘The Golden Son of the Kadazan’ book, says Ewon Benedick

Benedick (second right) sharing a light moment with Donald (second left) and his mother Datin Nancy Mary Mobijohn (right).

KOTA KINABALU: A proposal has been made to the Federal government to lift the ban on the Golden Son of the Kadazan, a book about former Sabah minister Datuk Peter J Mojuntin.

Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said he has raised the issue in the Cabinet meeting.

“There was a request (by Mojuntin’s family) for the government to pull back on the ban (so) I have proposed in the meeting on Tuesday (April 12) for this to be considered.

“I believe the Home Minister will give his feedback on this matter in the next Cabinet meeting,” he said after presenting the official investigation report on the “Double Six” plane crash to the family on Thursday (April 13).

Datuk Peter Mojuntin, the late Mojuntin’s eldest son, called for Putrajaya to make the book made available to the public following the government’s decision to declassify the investigation report on the “Double Six” plane crash.

The fatal crash on June 6, 1976 took the lives of Mojuntin, then the local government and housing minister, and 10 others including then chief minister Tun Fuad Stephens.

Donald on April 5 said with the historic decision by the Federal Government to make the report public, his family hoped the Cabinet would also lift the ban on the publication and distribution of the book titled “The Golden Son of the Kadazan”.

He said the book was a glimpse into the life of his father as a revered leader in Sabah politics.

“We do not know of any reasonable justification in banning the book nor were we given any reasonable explanation for it.

“We implore our most honourable Prime Minister and his Cabinet to continue doing the right thing,” Donald added.

"The Golden Son of the Kadazan", which was written by the late former politician and author Bernard Sta Maria, was banned on June 22, 1978, under the now-abolished Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960.

It was reported that, despite the ISA being repealed in 2012, the ban on the book was still maintained as the then government perceived that it was still a threat to national interest and security.

In 2015, then home minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the book was banned because it contained “extreme criticisms of the Federal Government, including claims that the government made hasty decisions in the state”.

In a written reply in Parliament, Ahmad Zahid had said the book was also leaning towards causing friction and conflict among Malaysians, particularly Muslims and Christians.