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 as well as better opportunities for participation in the political and commercial life of the country. We give further consideration to the question of economic development later in this Chapter. The non-natives who support the idea of Malaysia advanced the argument that, in the context of the present world situation, Malaysia offers the best possible solution to their problems. They are fearful that the Communists would find more fruitful grounds for exploitation if they remain in their present status. They are also aware from the experience of the Federation of Malaya that Malaysia would not jeopardise their legitimate interests.

187. Both natives and non-natives who support Malaysia have stressed to us that Malaysia must come about as quickly as possible since feelings were already running high between groups opposing and those supporting Malaysia. They feared the danger of racial conflict if there was unnecessary delay regarding the establishment of Malaysia.

188. We are in complete sympathy with this feeling and share their fears about the possibility of racial strife. We are also convinced that any delay would expose these territories and their people to dangerously disruptive influences both internally and from outside. We feel most strongly therefore that the transfer of sovereignty must take place within the next 12 months.

189. The view of the Commission has been recorded in Section A above that the Federation of Malaya Constitution could be taken as a basis for the purpose of the creation of Malaysia. The Federation of Malaya is the result of the formation of the Malay Protected States and the Settlements of Penang and Malacca into an independent Federation of States within the Commonwealth. The Commission's recommendations that North Borneo and Sarawak should be admitted as constituent States of the new Federation would in our view serve as a major political advancement for these territories. They will then be the constituent parts of a sovereign nation which derives its independence from the status of its constituent parts.

190. We turn now to a consideration of the constitutional provisions for the Federation of Malaysia under the following categories: (a) Name of the Federation Our views are already indicated in Section A of this Chapter.

(b) Head of the Federation Our views are already indicated in Section A of this Chapter.

(c) National and Official Language Our views are already indicated in Section A of this Chapter.

(d) National Religion Our views are already indicated in Section A of this Chapter.

(e) Citizenship Our views are already indicated in Section A of this Chapter.

(f) Right to Secede Our views are already indicated in Section A of this Chapter.

(g) Representation in Federal Parliament Earlier Chapters have recorded the strong desire everywhere expressed