18-point agreement
The 18-point agreement, or the 18-point memorandum, was a list of 18 points drawn up by Sarawak, proposing terms to form Malaysia, during negotiations prior to the creation of the new federation in 1963.
A Commission of Enquiry, headed by Lord Cameron Cobbold, and The Lansdowne Committee, an inter-governmental committee, were appointed to aid in the drafting of the Malaysia Agreement. Lord Lansdowne served for Britain and Tun Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya, served for Malaya.[1] The 18 points were based on the Nine Cardinal Principles of the rule of the English Rajah.[2][3] A similar memorandum, known as the 20-point agreement, was prepared and submitted by North Borneo. The 18-point agreement often serves as a focal point amongst those who argue that Sarawak's rights within the Federation have been eroded over time like Sabah.
The 18 points
Point 1:Religion
Point 2: Language
Point 3: Constitution
Point 4: Head of Federation
Point 5: Name of Federation
Point 6: Immigration Power
Point 7: Right of Secession
Point 8: Borneanisation
Point 9: British Officers
Point 10: Citizenship
Point 11: Tariffs and Finance
Point 12: State Government
Point 13: Transitional Period
Point 14: Education
Point 15: Constitutional safeguards
Point 16: Representation in Parliament
Point 17: Name of Head of State
Point 18: Land, Forests, Local Government, etc.
See also
References
- ^ Bastin, John Sturgus (1979). Malaysia; Selected Historical Readings. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. ISBN 9783262012165.
- ^ Rawlins, Joan (1965). Sarawak - 1839 to 1963. Macmillan & Company, (Original from the University of Michigan Press. p. 240.
- ^ Sarawak Constitution
Further reading
- Allen, J. de V.; Stockwell, Anthony J. (1980). Wright., Leigh R. (ed.). A collection of treaties and other documents affecting the states of Malaysia 1761-1963. Oceana Pubns. ISBN 978-0379007817.
- An Agreement Forged and Forgotten, Borneo Post
- The 18 Point Agreement Revisited, Borneo Post