34. Those who favour Malaysia expressed a general desire—
(a) that the formation of Malaysia should be brought about as soon as possible. This arises from a feeling that the present proposals have set in train an intensification of political activity which requires a clear indication of Sarawak's constitutional future as soon as possible. At the same time it is felt that the formation of Malaysia is urgently necessary to combat the increasing threat of Communist subversion and to accelerate efforts to improve the economic future of the natives. Delay might indicate that a disproportionate weight was being given to the views of the opponents of Malaysia;
(b) that the new Federation whould have strong Central Government which could deal efiectively, in particular, with matters relating to external relations, defence, internal security and economic development.
35. Groups from all native populations expressed a general desire—
(a) that special privileges should be given to the natives. They were extremely anxious that their position in the new Federation should be analogous to that of the Malays in the present Constitution of the Federation of Malaya. There was general agreement that economic development should be accelerated and increased attention paid to education, with particular reference to the needs of the natives;
(b) that land, forestry and agriculture should be subjects to be controlled by the State Government. Great emphasis was also laid on the need to safeguard customary rights and practices.
36. Groups from all races, other than outright opponents of Malaysia, expressed a general desire, in addition to the point already mentioned about the retention of British officers—
(a) That immigration into Sarawak from other territories of the proposed Federation should be under the control of the State authorities. This springs from the fear that, on the establishment of Malaysia, the people of Malaya and Singapore in particular would migrate in large numbers to Sarawak to take advantage of land and opportunities available, to the detriment of the people of Sarawak themselves. Coupled with this general anxiety, there IS particular concern about the possible entry or undesirable elements from outside;
(b) That there should be no rapid change in the administrative arrangements affecting the daily life of the people, or in such matters as
taxation.
37. Regarding the Head of Sarawak State, to which reference has been made earlier, there was some conflict between the indigenous people on the one hand, and the Chinese on the other: each group was, nevertheless, near-unanimous in its views. The natives have insisted that only natives should be eligible to be Head of State, while the non-natives have expressed with equal emphasis their desire that the office should be open to anyone born in Sarawak.
