 |
| King George VI (1936-1952) |
OFFICIAL
STATEMENT OF HIS MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT IN REGARDS TO CESSION ON 9TH
MAY 1946 BY RAJAH VYNER BROOKE.
*In
compliance with the independent inquiry in regards to cession of Sarawak
"In the event of cession, Sarawak would become a Colony and would be administered generally
on the same lines as other Colonies within the British Empire. It would not form part of the Malayan Union.
Sarawak subjects would become British
subjects.
The cardinal principles
set out in the 1941 Constitution are in general in accord with those which
govern the administration of other parts of the Colonial Empire. The Constitution of 1941 would be continued
in the first place subject to such amendments as are necessitated by cession.
But it would be necessary quite soon to introduce other changes (in particular
to provide for the Royal Assent to legislation and for His Majesty's power of
disallowance) in order to adapt the Constitution to the new status of Sarawak
as part of His Majesty's dominions.
As a preliminary to that the Governor of
Sarawak would be asked too into the whole constitutional question with the representatives
of the communities and other persons concerned on the spot, with a view to
recommending what steps should be taken, at the time when these changes are
made, to associate the people of Sarawak
with its government and administration on a basis as broadly representative
as conditions permit. It is hoped in this way to secure the maximum progressive constitutional development.
In
all legislative and administrative measures the fullest regard would be paid to the religions and existing rights and customs
of the various communities.
There is no
intention of exploiting the people of the country or its resources, and
among the most important objectives would be rehabilitation, improvement of
social services and communications, and controlled development of trade and
resources with a view to raising the
standard of living of the inhabitants."
No comments:
Post a Comment