Tunku outlines representation in the National Council

Published on: Monday, November 19, 1962

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NORTH BORNEO NEWS & SABAH TIMES - (Monday, November 19, 1962) - SANDAKAN, Sun. - Sandakan warmly said “Selamat datang” Tunku Abdul Rahman this evening. The Malayan Prime Minister flew in to Sandakan from Jesselton by RMAF Dove after speading a the capital.

He was met at the airport on his arrival by representatives of the United Sabah National Organisation, the United National Kadazan Organisation, the Borneo Utara National Party and high-ranking Government servants.

Also to welcome the Tunku at the airport was a huge crowd. The Malayan Premier was driven around the town and his car passed under an arch of welcome erected by the Sabah Alliance Party.

The Tunku was taken to the Residency where he met local political leaders and held discussions. Later in the evening he was expected to attend, a reception by all communities of the old capital’. For the first time the Prime Minister sounded slightly weary as he added that people here had replied that they would be only one voice on the National Council. He had pointed out that there was only one representative from each State in Malaya on the Council.

“They cannot put themselves in the position of a Malaysian,” said the Tunku.

“They just think of Malaya as one side and North Borneo the other; they cannot feel that they are members of a family.... They will not be treated as unwanted brothers; they will be one of us” emphasised Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The Malayan Prime Minister left for Sandakan with Enche Ghazalie, OKK Datu Mustapha, Mr Lim Yew Hock and Mr. A.M. Grie. At the Airport to bid the Tunku farewell were his Excellency the Governor and his ADC, Chief Secretary the Hon Mr Donald Stephens & representatives of associations, organisations and political parties.