Stephen Kalong Ningkan
Encyclopedia
Tan Sri Datuk Amar
Stephen Kalong Ningkan (1920-1997) was the first Chief Minister of Sarawak
(1963 - 1966). As the executive of a newly-independent state which helped to form Malaysia, Kalong faced many challenges from within the state and from Sarawak's neighbour, Indonesia.
, Sarawak
which was then administered under the Second Division of Simanggang. He was a student of St Augustine’s school. After he completed his education, he became a Teacher, a Policeman, a Hospital Dresser at a Shell Company hospital in Kuala Belait
, Brunei
for several years. At the hospital, he was Chairman of the Shell Dayak Club. He also became the Founder and President of the Sarawak Dayak Association from 1958 to 1960.
He returned to Betong and established the Sarawak National Party
(SNAP) in April 1961. Although he initially did not accept Tunku Abdul Rahman
’s proposal on the formation of Malaysia, he eventually became a strong supporter of the federation. In the 1962 election, SNAP won many seats, earning him the trust to be Sarawak's 1st Chief Minister. In addition, Kalong played an important role in forming Perikatan Sarawak (Sarawak Alliance;precursor to BN Sarawak), and served as its Secretary-General.
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan was of mixed Iban and Chinese parentage and his Chinese name was Mok Teck Boon. He had seven children: Paul Murphy Ningkan, Marina Siew Ling Ningkan, Flora Ningkan, Diana Inoi Ningkan, Winston Beng Wai Ningkan, Margaret Ningkan and Gerald Bala Ningkan.
He died peacefully aged 76 on March 31,1997 in Kuching.
Ningkan refused, saying the letters were not tantamount to a vote of no confidence in the state legislative assembly. He was sacked by the governor but eventually reinstated by the Borneo High Court, which saw the necessity of a formal vote of no confidence.
In his judgement, Harley A-G ruled that the Governor can only dismiss the Chief Minister when both these conditions are satisfied:
Malay titles
The Malay language has a complex system of titles and honorifics, which are still used extensively in Malaysia and Brunei. Singapore, whose Malay royalty was abolished by the British colonial government in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders....
Stephen Kalong Ningkan (1920-1997) was the first Chief Minister of Sarawak
Chief Minister of Sarawak
The Chief Minister of Sarawak is the head of the executive branch of the state government in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia. The Chief Minister is appointed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri from the State Legislative Assembly....
(1963 - 1966). As the executive of a newly-independent state which helped to form Malaysia, Kalong faced many challenges from within the state and from Sarawak's neighbour, Indonesia.
Personal life
Kalong was born on 20 August 1920 in BetongBetong
Betong may refer to*Places in Sarawak, Malaysia:** Betong, Sarawak ** Betong Division*Places in Yala Province, Thailand** Betong, Betong - Thailand ** Betong District - Thailand...
, 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...
which was then administered under the Second Division of Simanggang. He was a student of St Augustine’s school. After he completed his education, he became a Teacher, a Policeman, a Hospital Dresser at a Shell Company hospital in Kuala Belait
Kuala Belait
This article refers to the town of Kuala Belait. For the mukim of the same name, please refer to Kuala Belait, Belait. For district, please see Belait district.Kuala Belait |Jawi]]: )is a town located in South-West of Brunei...
, Brunei
Brunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
for several years. At the hospital, he was Chairman of the Shell Dayak Club. He also became the Founder and President of the Sarawak Dayak Association from 1958 to 1960.
He returned to Betong and established the Sarawak National Party
Sarawak National Party
Sarawak National Party known by its acronym as "SNAP", is a political party in Malaysia. It was a member party of Barisan Nasional since Sarawak joined Malaysia until 2004 when it was expelled from Barisan Nasional...
(SNAP) in April 1961. Although he initially did not accept Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, AC, CH was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya from 1955, and the country's first Prime Minister from independence in 1957. He remained as the Prime Minister after Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the...
’s proposal on the formation of Malaysia, he eventually became a strong supporter of the federation. In the 1962 election, SNAP won many seats, earning him the trust to be Sarawak's 1st Chief Minister. In addition, Kalong played an important role in forming Perikatan Sarawak (Sarawak Alliance;precursor to BN Sarawak), and served as its Secretary-General.
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan was of mixed Iban and Chinese parentage and his Chinese name was Mok Teck Boon. He had seven children: Paul Murphy Ningkan, Marina Siew Ling Ningkan, Flora Ningkan, Diana Inoi Ningkan, Winston Beng Wai Ningkan, Margaret Ningkan and Gerald Bala Ningkan.
He died peacefully aged 76 on March 31,1997 in Kuching.
Chief Minister
In 1966, Kalong was ousted when the state Governor showed him a letter of no confidence issued by 21 out of 42 legislators and asked Ningkan to resign as Chief Minister.Ningkan refused, saying the letters were not tantamount to a vote of no confidence in the state legislative assembly. He was sacked by the governor but eventually reinstated by the Borneo High Court, which saw the necessity of a formal vote of no confidence.
In his judgement, Harley A-G ruled that the Governor can only dismiss the Chief Minister when both these conditions are satisfied:
(a) The Chief Minister has lost the confidence of the House, and
(b) The Chief Minister has refused to resign and failed to advise a dissolution.