Chinese in East and the Formation of Malaysia

Chin, Vei-Nyuk

On May 27, 1961, the prime minister of Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman suggested the Greater Malaysia Proposals, which the close together with the territories of , , North and in political and economic. However Chinese in Sarawak opposed to the British government and the Greater Malaysia Proposals. The left wing of the Sarawak United People's Party submitted the anti-Malaysia memorandum and signature campaign to the Cobbold Commission. While Chinese in , mainly are the towkay, generally supported the proposals, because it meant the greater economic opportunities and strengthen of the politic.

Cobbold Commission conducted a public opinion poll in Sarawak and North Borneo regarding to the merge of Malaysia. Cobbold Commission went to Sarawak and North Borneo to received the opinion of Malaysia during 1962 Feb 19 till 18 April. Memorandum of Sarawak Chinese community and Sarawak United People's Part rejected merged with Malaysia, but North Borneo Chinese community and Democratic Party, United Party, advocates autonomous. However the polls result manipulated by British government and Tunku Abdul Rahman. Report of Cobbold Commission distortion public opinion and disobey the target of autonomous and independence Sarawak and North Borneo Chinese. The Secretary-General of the United Nations came to appraise the polls in Sarawak and North Borneo due to the baffle of Indonesia and Philippine government for the formation of Malaysia. At last Secretary-General of the United Nations to rule Sarawak and North Borneo merged with Malaysia.When Sarawak and North Borneo finally merged with Malaysia, they got 20 points safeguards and ten-year transitional period under the constitution. However on the part of the nation status, Sarawak and North Borneo from colony reduced to the state that controlled by British.

Keywords：Malaysia, , Sarawak, Greater Malaysia Proposals, North Borneo, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sarawak United People's Part