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Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah State Government has extended condolences to the family of the late former State Secretary Tan Sri Richard Lind (pic), who died on Saturday.

In conveying the condolences, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Lind had served the State and nation well.

“He was instrumental in the formation of Malaysia. Sabah has lost one of its great sons.

“On behalf of the State Government, I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family,” he said in a statement.

Lind, 98, died about noon at his residence at Signal Hill, here.

Lind became a key person in the erection of Keningau Batu Bersumpah or Oath Stone to convince the interior people to support the formation of Malaysia.

When Malaysia was established, there were still many people in Sabah’s interior who did not agree to the formation.

Sabah’s first Chief Minister Donald Stephens (later named Tun Fuad Stephens) had asked Lind to find out the reason.

The Keningau Oath Stone was then built according to the customs of natives in the interior.

It served as a sacred monument that must be taken care of to avoid calamities or disasters and symbolised the acceptance of the people of Sabah’s interior towards the formation of Malaysia.