Self-Governing Sarawak 1963
On 27 May 1961, Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj
proposed a merger for closer political and economic co-operation between
the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo (as Sabah
was known then) and Brunei.
British Prime Minister Sir Harold Macmillan supported the idea and the
first Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee (MSCC) meeting was held
in Singapore two months later, followed by an eye-opening visit by
leaders from Sarawak and Sabah to Malaya on 12 August 1962. In 1962, a
five-man team of 2 Malayans and 3 British representatives headed by Lord
Cameron Cobbold conducted a referendum amongst Sarawakians on the
proposed Federation of Malaysia.
The findings of the Cobbold Commission led to the Malaysia Agreement
signed on 9 July 1963 by Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. As spelt
out in the 20-point requirements raised by Sabah and 18-point by
Sarawak, the Agreement sought to protect the interest, rights and
autonomy of the people of the two *states after the formation of
Malaysia.
Sarawak Representatives at Kuching Airport on 12 July 1963 after returning from London
where they signed the historic agreement to form Malaysia and end colonial rule.
Temenggong Jugah anak Barieng OBE, Datu Bandar Abang Mustapa CBE, Abang
Haji Openg, Ling Beng Siew and P.E.H. Pike signed on behalf of Sarawak
while Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj and Sir Harold
Macmillan represented Malaya and Britain respectively.
On 22 July 1963, the Governor of Sarawak, Sir Alexander Waddell, issued
a proclamation to form the first Supreme Council with the appointment
of Stephen Kalong Ningkan, the Chairman of Sarawak National Party
(SNAP), as the first Chief Minister of Sarawak. The other members of the
Supreme Council were Abdul Taib Mahmud, James Wong Kim Ming, Dunstan
Endawie Anak Enchana, Awang Hipni Pengiran Anu and Teo Kui Seng. This
marked the end of colonial rule and birth of Sarawak as a self-governing
country.
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