Page:Report of The Inter-Governmental Committee, Malaysia.pdf/52

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1. The British and Malayan Governments have received and studied the report of the Commission under the Chairman of Lord Cobbold which visited North Borneo and Sarawak earlier this year to ascertain the view of the inhabitant on the proposal to create a Federation of Malaysia embracing Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo, Sarawak, and Brunei. The Report is being published today.

2. The two Governments are most grateful to the Commission for their valuable Report and have accepted almost all the recommendations on which the Commission were unanimous The two Governments have noted in particular that the Commission were unanimously agreed that a Federation of Malaysia Is the best interests of North Borneo and Sarawak and that an early decision in principle should be reached.

3. In the light of this Report and of the agreement reached between the Government of Malaya and the Government of Singapore, the British and Malayan Governments have now decided in principle that, subject to the necessary legislation, the proposed Federation of Malaysia should be brought into being by 31st August, 1963.

4. To give effect to this decision, the two Governments intend to conclude, within the next six months, a formal agreement which, among other things, will provide for:

(a) the transfer of sovereignty in North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore by 31st August, 1963;

(b) provisions govering the relationship between Singapore and the new Federation, as agreed between the Governments of Malaya and Singapore;

(c) defence arrangements as set out in the Joint statement by the British and Malayan Governments dated 22nd November 1961; and

(d) detailed constitutional arrangements, including safeguards for the special interests of North Borneo and Sarawak, to be drawn up after consultation with the Legislatures of the two territories.

5. These safeguards will cover such matters as religious freedom, education, representation in the Federal Parliament, the position of the indigenous races, control of immigration, citizenship and the State constitutions.

6. In order that the introduction of the new Federal system may be effected as smoothly as possible and with the least disturbance to existing administrative arrangements, there will be, after the transfer of sovereignty, a transition period, during which a number of the Federal constitutional powers will be delegated temporarily to the State, Governments.

7. An Inter-Governmental Committee will be established as soon as possible, on which the British Malayan. North Bomco and Sarawak Governments will be represented Its task will be to work out the future constitutional arrangements and the form of the necessary safeguards.

8. The Minister of State for the Colonics, Lord Lansdowne, who will be the Chairman of this Committee, and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya Tun Abdul Razak, will proceed shortly to Sarawak and North Borneo to conduct discussions.

9. In order to maintain the efficiency of the administration, the British and Malayan Goverments are agreed on the importance of retaining the services of as many of the expatriate officials as possible. The Minister of State will discuss with the Goverments of the territories and with the Staff Associations how this best can be done.

10. The British and Malayan Governments have informed the Sultan of Brunci of the agreement they have reached and have made it clear that they would welcome the inclusion of the State of Brunei in the new Federation.