Anti-cession movement of Sarawak
Encyclopedia
The anti-cession movement of Sarawak (Malay
: Gerakan Anti-Penyerahan Sarawak) was a movement in Sarawak
to fight against the British attempt to govern Sarawak as a crown colony
rather than a protectorate
ruled by the White Rajahs. The movement lasted from 1 July 1946 until March 1950.
arose from the violation of a provision in the 1941 constitution of Sarawak, which stipulated that Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke
would grant the right self-rule to Sarawak. Instead, he decided to cede it to Britain as a crown colony
on 8 February 1946. Secondly, the Sarawakian people had believed that the rule of the Brooke family could be expected to lead to independence for Sarawak, but heir apparent Anthony Brooke was not appointed as the next Rajah. In addition, the decision was taken without the consent of the indigenous people. The British did discuss it with the local people, but declared Sarawak a crown colony on 1 July 1946 anyway, with support from British officers and non-native residents.
to the Colonial Office
in London. They also displayed an anti-cession poster in all the villages of Sarawak, and local people, including women, held demonstration
s against it. However, when the authorities discovered that most of the members of the movement were civil servants, "Circular No.9" was issued and signed by C.W.Dawson on 31 December 1946, to warn civil servants that it was illegal to participate in political movements, on pain of dismissal from their post. More than 338 public employees, mostly teachers, resigned on 2 April 1947 in protest against the circular. These resignations forced the closure of more than 22 schools in Sarawak. 56 students also quit their university studies to denounce the circular. The largest demonstration took place on 1 July 1947, when the British government appointed Sir Charles Arden-Clarke, former Resident Commissioner of Bechuanaland (present-day Botswana) as the first Governor of the British Crown Colony of Sarawak. From that date onwards, demonstrations increased.
The British government, intending to put an end to the anti-cession movement, tried to disrupt the close relationship between Malays and the indigenous Dayak people
. They also tried to weaken the movement by saying that the colonization of Sarawak aimed to bring better life to Malays and encouraging the formation of the Young Malay Association (YMA), which supported the colonisation of Sarawak. YMA members were picked at random from the anti-cession camp – if they refused to join, their children will be unable study at school or work in the Civil Service. The British government also pursued psychological warfare against the anti-cession movement, causing it to decline from December 1947 on.
After an unsuccessful attempt, thirteen radical members of the Sibu
Malay Youth Movement formed a secret organization called Rukun 13
(The 13 Pillars). This organization aimed to eradicate all European and Malay officers who were in favor of British rule in Sarawak. Rikun 13 members Rosli Dhobi
and Awang Ramli Amit Mohd Deli, together with non-members Morshidi Sidek and Bujang Suntong, assassinated Sir Duncan Stewart
, the second Governor of Sarawak
, when he arrived in Sibu on 3 December 1949. He died in Singapore General Hospital a week later. This incident led the British authorities to try to crush the anti-cession movement once and for all, by any means possible. All Rukun 13 members were arrested in March 1950. The four assassins were sentenced to death and the remaining Rukun 13 members were jailed. After the end of the anti-cession movement, Britain ruled Sarawak from early 1950 until the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963.
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
: Gerakan Anti-Penyerahan Sarawak) was a movement in Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
to fight against the British attempt to govern Sarawak as a crown colony
Crown colony
A Crown colony, also known in the 17th century as royal colony, was a type of colonial administration of the English and later British Empire....
rather than a protectorate
Protectorate
In history, the term protectorate has two different meanings. In its earliest inception, which has been adopted by modern international law, it is an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity...
ruled by the White Rajahs. The movement lasted from 1 July 1946 until March 1950.
Factors
The anti-cession of movement of SarawakSarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
arose from the violation of a provision in the 1941 constitution of Sarawak, which stipulated that Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke
Charles Vyner Brooke
Vyner, Rajah of Sarawak, GCMG was the third and final White Rajah of Sarawak.-Early life:...
would grant the right self-rule to Sarawak. Instead, he decided to cede it to Britain as a crown colony
Crown colony
A Crown colony, also known in the 17th century as royal colony, was a type of colonial administration of the English and later British Empire....
on 8 February 1946. Secondly, the Sarawakian people had believed that the rule of the Brooke family could be expected to lead to independence for Sarawak, but heir apparent Anthony Brooke was not appointed as the next Rajah. In addition, the decision was taken without the consent of the indigenous people. The British did discuss it with the local people, but declared Sarawak a crown colony on 1 July 1946 anyway, with support from British officers and non-native residents.
Overview of movement
Many Malays joined Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah and Datu Patinggi Haji Mohammad Kassim to fight against cession of Sarawak to Britain. Many other local associations, such as the Malay National Association of Sarawak (PKMS), took part as well. Members of the movement sent a letter objecting to cessionCession
The act of Cession, or to cede, is the assignment of property to another entity. In international law it commonly refers to land transferred by treaty...
to the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
in London. They also displayed an anti-cession poster in all the villages of Sarawak, and local people, including women, held demonstration
Demonstration (people)
A demonstration or street protest is action by a mass group or collection of groups of people in favor of a political or other cause; it normally consists of walking in a mass march formation and either beginning with or meeting at a designated endpoint, or rally, to hear speakers.Actions such as...
s against it. However, when the authorities discovered that most of the members of the movement were civil servants, "Circular No.9" was issued and signed by C.W.Dawson on 31 December 1946, to warn civil servants that it was illegal to participate in political movements, on pain of dismissal from their post. More than 338 public employees, mostly teachers, resigned on 2 April 1947 in protest against the circular. These resignations forced the closure of more than 22 schools in Sarawak. 56 students also quit their university studies to denounce the circular. The largest demonstration took place on 1 July 1947, when the British government appointed Sir Charles Arden-Clarke, former Resident Commissioner of Bechuanaland (present-day Botswana) as the first Governor of the British Crown Colony of Sarawak. From that date onwards, demonstrations increased.
The British government, intending to put an end to the anti-cession movement, tried to disrupt the close relationship between Malays and the indigenous Dayak people
Dayak people
The Dayak or Dyak are the native people of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups, located principally in the interior of Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily...
. They also tried to weaken the movement by saying that the colonization of Sarawak aimed to bring better life to Malays and encouraging the formation of the Young Malay Association (YMA), which supported the colonisation of Sarawak. YMA members were picked at random from the anti-cession camp – if they refused to join, their children will be unable study at school or work in the Civil Service. The British government also pursued psychological warfare against the anti-cession movement, causing it to decline from December 1947 on.
After an unsuccessful attempt, thirteen radical members of the Sibu
Sibu
Sibu may refer to:*Sibu, Sarawak in Eastern Malaysia*Sibu Division*Sibu , an impact crater on Mars*Pulau Sibu, an island off the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia*Sibu , name of a goddess in the Bribri tribe, in Costa Rica...
Malay Youth Movement formed a secret organization called Rukun 13
Rukun 13
Rukun 13 or Rukun Tiga Belas is a defunct Sarawakian organization that existed from 1947 until 1950.-Formation:This organization was officially formed in final 1947 due to opposition to the Cession to the United Kingdom in Sarawak.-Patriots:...
(The 13 Pillars). This organization aimed to eradicate all European and Malay officers who were in favor of British rule in Sarawak. Rikun 13 members Rosli Dhobi
Rosli Dhobi
Rosli Dhoby was a Malay Sarawakian nationalist from Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia during the British crown colony era in that state....
and Awang Ramli Amit Mohd Deli, together with non-members Morshidi Sidek and Bujang Suntong, assassinated Sir Duncan Stewart
Duncan Stewart
Duncan Stewart may refer to:* Duncan Stewart , Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi, 1817-1820* Duncan Stewart , interim President of Uruguay in 1894...
, the second Governor of Sarawak
Governor of Sarawak
The Governor Of British Crown Colony of Sarawak is the position created by the British Government upon the cession of Sarawak from the Brooke Administration in 1946.The Appointment was made by King George VI,and later Queen Elizabeth II until the independence of Sarawak within the formation of...
, when he arrived in Sibu on 3 December 1949. He died in Singapore General Hospital a week later. This incident led the British authorities to try to crush the anti-cession movement once and for all, by any means possible. All Rukun 13 members were arrested in March 1950. The four assassins were sentenced to death and the remaining Rukun 13 members were jailed. After the end of the anti-cession movement, Britain ruled Sarawak from early 1950 until the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963.