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 case may be. Brunei is in somewhat a different position and it is envisaged that until a new Constitution is introduced and other arrangements made, the Mentri Besar, members of the State Legislature, as well as the Executive Council, will continue to be appointed in accordance with the present arrangements.

Direct Elections for Future Consideration

18. It is accepted that these arrangements in the Borneo territories must necessarily be temporary in nature and should not be allowed to continue indefinitely if these territories are to keep in step with the other States of Malaysia in their political advancement. As soon as possible, consideration should be given to the desirability of introducing at the proper time the system of direct elections in respect of State and Federal representatives.

Adequate Representation in Parliament

19. In regard to the question of representation in the Federal Parliament, the Committee is satisfied with the assurance that the Borneo territories would be given adequate representation and that the universal democratic practice of giving weightage to representation for less densely populated areas would be adopted. The present arrangement in the Federation of Malaya regarding the appointment and election of members of the Senate should be adopted for the new States of Malaysia.

National language

20. The Committee accepts the view that the Federation of Malaysia should have a national language and places no objection to the adoption of the national language of the present Federation of Malaya, Singapore and Brunei which is also the lingua franca of this region. The Committee is aware that in the present Federation of Malaya Constitution it is provided that for 10 years from Merdeka Day the English language may be used for official purposes. However, Parliament may also provide that the period be extended. In any case this period of 10 years is applicable to the Federation of Malaya and it is reasonable to expect that this period should only apply to the new States of the Federation of Malaysia with effect from the day Malaysia comes into being. The Committee is satisfied with the assurance that this period would be extended if so desired and the acceptance of Malay as the national language would in no way prevent the use, teaching or learning of any other language nor would it prejudice the right of any State of the Federation of Malaysia to preserve and sustain the use and study of other languages.

Position of English

21. English as an international language would maintain its place in Malaysia.

English as Medium Instruction

22. It has been very much in the minds of the people of Sarawak and North Borneo that the acceptance of Malay as the national language might create problems relating to the policy of making English as the medium of instruction in schools. There has been uncertainty of the rule of English in schools in the Bomeo territories. The Committee welcomes and accepts the explanation that the use of English as medium of instruction in schools will in no way conflict with the acceptance of Malay as the national language of Malaysia.

Complete Intergration Desirable

23. The Committee has also noted that although the advancement of education is at different stages in different territories its development has been on similar lines whether in the Borneo territories or in the Federation of Malaya. As from 1962 free universal primary education is introduced in the Federation of Malaya and the school leaving age is 15. It is therefore hoped that the transitional period which will precede a complete integration of the education system would be as short as possible so that the Borneo territories would quickly achieve parity in education with other States in the peninsula.

Migration

24. The Committee dealt very extensively with the question of immigration into the Borneo territories. While the concept that the Central Government should be