From Malay Mail · · 1m 50s
Malaysia was made by agreement
Malaysia Day marks a legal bargain that joined Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore into one federation.
In brief
Malaysia Day marks a legal bargain that joined Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore into one federation. Malaysia was built as an agreed federation, and that shared identity belongs to every day, not only August 31 or September 16. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
Malaysia Day begins
September 16 marks the day Malaysia came into being in 1963, through the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“Today is Malaysia Day.”
MA63 set the terms
The agreement had 11 clauses and annexes, including state constitutions, an immigration bill and Singapore financial arrangements.
“Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), consisting of 11 clauses with annexes”
The new federation
MA63 joined the Federation of Malaya with North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore, to be called Malaysia.
“the Federation shall thereafter be called ‘Malaysia’”
A name and union
Malaysia was the agreed name. Federation was the agreed political form linking Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.
“Malaysia is the agreed name.”
August 31 was planned
Article II required Malaya to pass the Malaysia Bill and bring it into force on August 31, 1963, as Malaysia Day.
“brought into operation on 31st August 1963”
Parliament moved fast
The Malaysia Bill was debated for five days, passed late on August 20, and received Royal Assent on August 26.
“passed at its third reading on August 20, 1963, at 11.25pm.”
The date shifted
On August 28, the parties signed a later agreement in Singapore, replacing August 31 with September 16.
“substituting the date “16th September” for the date “31st August”.”
Britain had duties
The United Kingdom had to give legal force to the state constitutions of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore before Malaysia Day.
“giving the force of law to the Constitutions of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore”
Sovereignty was released
The British Malaysia Act 1963 ended British sovereignty and jurisdiction over North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore from Malaysia Day.
“shall be relinquished so as to vest in the manner agreed”
The deeper point
The September 16 date came from needed legal steps. The idea of Malaysia itself had already been agreed.
“Malaysia was agreed as a federation of states.”
Every day Malaysians
Malaysia Day was meant to share August 31 with Merdeka Day, but the larger claim is daily national belonging.
“We are Malaysians on every other day.”
What matters most
Malaysia was built as an agreed federation, and that shared identity belongs to every day, not only August 31 or September 16.
