Commission of Enquiry in North Borneo and Sarawak Regarding Malaysian Federation

“ The Committee directed a great deal of its attention to the question of Islam as the religion of the Federation. It is satisfied that the acceptance of Islam as the religion of the Federation would not endanger religious Freedom within Malaysia nor will it make Malaysia a State less secular. The present Constitution of the Federation of Malaysia, which would serve as the basis of the new Federation, has adequately guaranteed that other religions can be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation. Every person will have the right to profess and practise his religion. ”

“ The only organisation of any consequence with predominantly native support in opposition to Malaysia either in Sarawak or North Borneo is the Pasok Momogun of North Borneo, which advocated in line with the other organisations in opposition to Malaysia that independence should first be gained before consideration of any wider federation in this particular instance, however, we have reason to believe that its opposition springs basically from a fear of domination by the Federation of Malaya and that the party would be more receptive to the idea of Malaysia if these fears can be set at rest. ”

“ Thus those who support Malaysia agree that Federation should come quickly and should have a strong Central Government to deal in particular with external relations, defence, internal security and economic development. All native populations agree that they should be given analogous treatment to that of the Malays in Malaya, that land, forestry and agriculture should be controlled by the State Government, and that customary rights and practices should be safeguarded. ”

“ In North Borneo, as in Sarawak, we were greatly impressed with the background of friendly race relations which clearly has existed in the past and which to a large degree still exists to-day. As we have said earlier, this atmosphere of racial harmony is very precious in a multi-racial country and one which must at all costs be preserved if the country is to have a happy and prosperous future. We should like here to draw attention to a most encouraging development. ”

“ It is clear to us that, although the origin and leadership of the party are in no way Communist, there has recently been a high degree of Communist infiltration and influence in the party. It was equally clear that the Communist elements have worked on two other elements which form the main components of the party—those Chinese who are fearful that Malaysia would reduce their status in Sarawak in comparison with other races, and the younger Chinese who are educated, nationalistic, and suffer from a sense of frustration. ”

“ The native population's insistence on a native being the Head of State stems in the main from the anxiety to utilise what they believe are the political powers of the office to correct the imbalance of economic power between themselves and the immigrant races. It is clear also that in the minds of both the natives and the non-natives of Sarawak the office of the Head of State or Governor or whatever other title it may be given, carries with it a prestige which is an important consideration in the context of race relations. ”

“ What other Federal powers would Sarawak like to keep as State powers? The Prime Minister of Malaya has already agreed that migration to Sarawak from the other States of Malaysia is a matter on which the Sarawak Government can maintain control. The method by which this may be achieved can be devised by constitutional experts. If it becomes necessary for the development of the economic potential of Sarawak to have more people from other parts of Malaysia this will be decided by the people of Sarawak themselves. ”

“ In the field of industrial development, we are of the opinion that increased opportunities should also be given to these new territories of Malaysia and that every effort should be made to reduce any effect which the free play of economic forces may have of widening the gap between these States and the other more industrially advanced States of Malaysia. In this respect we would strongly recommend that there should be joint consultation between the Central Authority and the States concerned on industrial location to ensure that development will be well co-ordinated and distributed. ”

“ That the goal or self-government shall always be kept in mind, that the people or Sarawak shall be entrusted in due course with the governance of themselves, and that continuous efforts shall be made to hasten the reaching of this goal by educating them in the obligations, the responsibilities and the privileges of citizenship." The argument was used by those who opposed the Malaysia proposals that it would be inconsistent with the British Government's obligation to agree to a scheme which did not first grant independence to Sarawak. ”

“ The majority of the people în Borneo have expressed their desire for Malaysia and if they are not to be frustrated and disillusioned regarding those matters on which they have placed such emphasis, for example, progressive economic development, increased attention to education, upliftment of rural standard of living, and so on, the Central Government should from the outset be made to feel responsible for these matters and should be provided with the opportunity and the means to meet these rising expectations. ”

“ The position in Sarawak is further exacerbated by the fact that the present Government in Malaya, which would clearly be an important force in a new Federation of Malaysia, is anti-Communist. In the absence of some project like Malaysia, the Chinese, with their rapidly increasing population and their long start over other races in education, could expect, when independence came, to be in an unassailable position in Sarawak. ”

“ When the Federation of Malaya was formed transitional arrangements were devised to permit the States to join the Federation gradually and smoothly. Similar transitional arrangements will be necessary with the Borneo territories. In the long term he may expect to reap the benefits of partnership in a vigorous, young community of independent peoples. If he finds the idea of Sarawak joining Malaysia still too novel he should stop to ask himself a second question, "What is the alternative?" Independence will come to Sarawak within a measurable period of years. ”

“ By itself, or even in association with Sarawak, North Borneo would find it very expensive to exist as an independent territory, and its voice in the councils of the world would be small. The peoples of Malaya and Borneo have cultural, economic and historical ties which make them fit naturally together as a group. Malaysia offers for them all the prospect of sharing in the destiny of what the British Government believes will be a great. prosperous and stable independent State within the Commonwealth. ”

“ In North Borneo, as in Sarawak, a major strand in the opposition to Malaysia among the Chinese lies in genuine fear of discrimination, which they believe would be practised on them, affecting their education, language and culture generally, and reducing them to the status of what is popularly known as "second-class citizens". These anxieties are honestly held and should receive serious consideration. At the same time, there is fear among the Chinese business community that Malaysia would involve a new and heavier tax structure. ”

“ The indigenous peoples and the Chinese are both an integral part of the population of Sarawak; both have played their part in the past and both have their part to play in the future; it is essential that they should live and work in harmony. If these things can be achieved, the intensification of political consciousness arising out of the Malaysia proposals will in the long run prove beneficial. ”

“ In Sarawak there have already been elections and the Council Negri includes members elected by the people by a system of electoral college. Political parties are playing a vital role in the lives of most of the people. In North Borneo there has been an awakening of political consciousness in the most heartening manner since the proposals for Malaysia were enunciated. One of the most significant developments in these territories is the emergence of political leaders of high calibre with the growth of political parties. ”

“ Only through Malaysia, with a happy multi-racial country like Malaya supplying proof that communalism can be solved, can the racial problems of the Borneo territories also be solved. The extension of special privileges to the native peoples will give them a chance of catching up with their more advanced Chinese brothers. The Chinese too, if they have a real loyalty to the countries of their adoption, will find that their greatest chance of security is in Malaysia. ”

“ Within the next few weeks the Commissition will be visiting North Borneo for the specific purpose of finding out opinion in this country by an enquiry on the spot. Opportunity will be afforded for all shades of opinion to heve their say. It is indeed in everyone interest to take advantage of this opportunity as it will in the light of what the Commission recommends that the final decision will be taken. The people of North Borneo should now think carefully about the future of this country so that they will ready to express considered views to the Commission when it comes. ”

“ We have no doubt that any lingering misgivings which they may have could be removed if the colonial administration could unequivocally commend the Malaysia proposals to them.
⁠180. We are therefore left with the body of resistance to Malaysia which though small in number is extremely vociferous and active in character. This opposition springs either from an ideological identification with the Communist cause, or an emotional identification with Chinese chauvinism, or from an ardent belief in independence on their own on the basis of an ultra nationalism in the narrowest sense. ”

“ The views of many of the groups whom we saw were clearly influenced by the hope that the coming of Malaysia would bring them benefits and privileges, for example free primary education, a larger number of scholarships and places in the Public Service and opportunities in trade, which are not available to them now. Some of them recognised that special privileges for natives should continue only until the natives have had time, through education and training, to be able to compete on equal terms with the other races. ”

“ It is desirable to consider the Chinese separately, first because their position in North Borneo to-day is different in law from that of the indigenous peoples. Certain privileges are already reserved for natives, for example in regard to land, and special measures have been taken in recent years to ensure that better facilities are available for the education of natives, including priority for scholarships overseas. The Chinese have supported the need for these measures in view of the general backwardness of the indigenous peoples. ”

“ When necessary and possible each Federal department should have a regional head in Borneo with sufficient authority to deal with local problems. We would advise that the titles of heads of departments should not be changed immediately and that suitable titles for these regional heads should be coined. It must be clear, however, that the control of the Federal Public Service throughout the Federation of Malaysia should remain with the appropriate Federal Service Commission which will have jurisdiction over all officers in services which become Federal services on Malaysia day. ”

“ The State Government must be able to protect vital local interests. Some there are no doubt who prefer no change in the existing order of things; to them the answer is that the" winds of change " are blowing and blowing hard, and no good can come out of refusing to face up to this fact, however unpalatable it may be to them. Some would prefer to achieve self-government first before entering into negotiations over Malaysia ”

“ The Malaysia proposals would interfere with this development. Communist elements have therefore worked ceaselessly to exaggerate the fears which the Chinese community as a whole and members of other communities have of Malay domination and to make capital out of every possible issue, e.g., special position for the natives, citizenship, national language and religion. They have also worked on the emotions of a large body of younger Chinese, who have been educated in Chinese schools, who are strongly nationalistic and who have feelings of frustration and anxiety about their prospects. ”

“ Just as North Borneo and Sarawak, however, have recently thought it advantageous to conclude a free trade area agreement, so may a larger common market provided by Malaysia be expected to help to produce some economic advantages to all parts of the area. Since Merdelca there has been very extensive capital development in Malaya, which would no doubt continue in Malaysia and from which North Borneo would benefit. ”

“ Finally, I underline what has been said in earlier Chapters about the gratifying way in which the peoples of the territories came forward to make their views about Malaysia known to the Commission. Apart from a few groups in Sarawak which took a somewhat aggressive attitude and were, as could be clearly recognised, under Communist influence, groups of all races and of every shade of opinion expressed their support, their opposition, or their doubts in a reasoned, thoughtful and constructive way. ”