Page:Report of the Commission of Enquiry North Borneo & Sarawak.pdf/65

 

171. The Commission's assessment of the state of opinion in the Borneo territories about Malaysia has been recorded in Chapter III.

172. The conditions and safeguards asked for by persons in the second category referred to in paragraph 144 therein relate mainly to privileges of natives and the protection of legitimate interests of others, citizenship, assurance on religious freedom, appointment of Heads of their respective States, and their eligibility to be the supreme Head of state in Malaysia, national and official languages, immigration control, representation in Parliament, accelerated programmes in economic, particularly, rural development and in education, and assurances on State rights. Everyone in this category expressed the wish that the expatriate officers now serving in Sarawak and North Borneo should be retained until they, the Borneo people, could undertake the responsibilities or administration. This reflects their trust in the present British officials, whose advocacy or any plan for Malaysia would help to instil confidence in the future.

173. support for Malaysia was very clearly expressed in North Borneo by the United Sabah National Organisation (U.S.N.O.) and the United National Kadazan Organisation (U.N.K.O.) who command the support of the majority of the natives, including those of mixed parentage, and some of the non-natives. In Sarawak. the Party Negara (Panas), Barisan Anak Jati Sarawak (Barjasa) and the Sarawak National Party (S.N.P.) have come out very strongly in favour of Malaysia. Besides these groups, other organised non-political groups like the Barisan Pemuda of Sarawak and native and Muslim Associations both in North Borneo and Sarawak have indicated their support of the idea. Individual groups from the interior and representatives of such groups as those which passed the Kapit Resolutions all have signified their acceptance of the concept of closer association in Malaysia. A large number of delegations from organised representatives or local governments also came out in favour of Malaysia.

174. We would also wish to draw particular attention here to the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee (M.S.C.C.) which had gone very thoroughly into the subject and submitted its recommendations to us. We observed that nearly every aspect of the proposal was discussed by the Committee, which unanimously declared their acceptance of and support for Malaysia, and the vital necessity for its early realisation.

175. Some comments were made during the hearings of the Commission regarding the M.S.C.C., which was said to be non-representational in character. It was suggested that their views should accordingly be disregarded. We find it difficult to accept this suggestion. Most of the participants were leaders in their own right either as leaders or political parties or as the accepted heads of their respective communities. The fact of their membership or the State Legislatures and in some cases, also of the Executive Council or the Supreme Council of the respective territories, reminded us that the Governments concerned have placed high value in respect of their judgment and ability of their influence and leadership. Their opinions, therefore, demand serious consideration. 