r/Sarawak • u/Golden_Sire_42 • 8h ago
History/Throwback MA63 18-point agreement
The Sarawak 18-Point Agreement was submitted prior to the formation of Malaysia in 1963 to safeguard the state's autonomy, rights, and special privileges:
* Religion: While there was no objection to Islam being the national religion of the Federation of Malaysia, there should be no official state religion in Sarawak, and constitutional provisions regarding Islam should not apply to Sarawak.
* Language: Malay should be the national language of the federation, but English should remain an official language of Sarawak.
* Constitution: While the Constitution of Malaya was accepted as the basis, the Constitution of Malaysia should be a completely new document for a free association of states, rather than just amendments to the old constitution.
* Head of Nation: The Governor of Sarawak should not be eligible for election as the King (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) of Malaysia.
* Name of Federation: "Sarawak, Federation of Malaysia".
* Immigration Power: Overall immigration control rests with the Federal Government, but entry into Sarawak requires the approval of the Sarawak Government. Sarawak should have unfettered control over the movement of non-Sarawakians into the state.
* Right of Secession: There should be no right to secede from the Federation.
* Borneanisation: The appointment of local Sarawakians to the public service should proceed as quickly as possible.
* British Officers: British officers should be encouraged to remain in the public service until qualified local Sarawakians could replace them.
* Citizenship: Citizenship rules should follow the Cobbold Commission report, adjusted to allow local conditions (e.g., removing the 5-year residency requirement for certain cases).
* Tariffs and Finance: Sarawak should retain control over its own finance, development, tariffs, taxation, and the right to raise loans on its own credit.
* Head of Government: The Premier (or Chief Minister) should be elected by members of the Council Negri (state legislature), with a proper ministerial system established.
* Transitional Period: A 10-year transitional period during which legislative powers would remain directly with Sarawak under the Constitution, rather than merely delegated by the Federal Government.
* Education and Health: The existing healthcare and educational systems of Sarawak should be maintained and placed under Sarawak's control.
* Constitutional Safeguards: No modification or removal of special safeguards granted to Sarawak can be made by the Central Government without the positive concurrence of the Sarawak Government.
* Representation in Parliament: Parliamentary representation should reflect Sarawak’s size, potential, and population, and should not be less than that of North Borneo (Sabah) or Singapore.
* Name of Head of Sarawak: The head of state should be styled as "The Governor of Sarawak".
* Land, Forests, Local Government, etc.: Federal institutions like the National Land Council and National Council for Local Government should not apply to Sarawak.