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 both before and after independence in our own country, we are confident that Sarawak and North Borneo are now ready to assume their new responsibilities and take their places as States with the Federation of Malaysia. We are equally convinced that the political and administrative arrangements which we advocate for these territories are fair to all concerned and the most practicable in existing circumstances.

235. In Section A of this Chapter recommendations have been made on certain general matters. On some of them there is unanimity, and on others there is some divergence of opinion which can only be resolved by Governments.

236. For reasons explained in paragraph 145 it has been necessary to set out other proposals separately, in Sections B and C above respectively. Owing to the different views taken in the Commission about the phasing of the creation of Malaysia, many of these proposals are seen by the British members of the Commission as objectives which should be progressively worked towards, and where possible introduced, during a transitional period, whereas they are seen by the Malayan members as recommendations which should start to take effect immediately on the creation of Malaysia. Subject to this qualification, there is unanimity or near-unanimity in the Commission on most of these recommendations, which I summarise below:

(a) On five matters, to which great importance was attached in the bulk of evidence submitted, the recommendations (though to avoid unnecessary duplication they do not always appear in detail in both Sections B and C above) were in fact drafted and agreed, subject to the qualifications stated, by the Commission as a whole:

(i) Representation in Federal Parliament

Representation of the Borneo territories in the Federal Parliament should take account not only of their populations but also of their size and potentialities.

(ii) Special Position of the Indigenous Races

The native races in the Borneo territories should be placed in a position analogous to that of the Malays in the Constitution of the Federatian of Malaya. AdAn [sic] Advisory Board should be set up, including representatives of the principal races, to advise on the interpretation and administration of these provisions. The Malayan members feel that the provisions for the special position of indigenous races should not be subject to review separately from any review of the position of the Malays as a whole. The British members, with whom I agree, feel that the provisions should be reviewed not later than 10 years after they come into force. One British member is opposed to any constitutional provision in this matter.

(iii) Development

Special and urgent attention should be given to development in the fields of rural improvement, education, medical and other