Cobbold Commission

Independence and the Making of Malaysia · Chronicle · 6 min read

What Was the Cobbold Commission?

The Cobbold Commission Heard Many Voices, But It Was Never a Referendum That Counted Every Person

In 1962, the Cobbold Commission visited Sarawak and North Borneo, attempting to judge whether the residents supported Malaysia. The report roughly divided opinions into three thirds: unconditional support, conditional support, and those demanding prior independence or continued British rule. However, the commission itself admitted it could only make an approximate assessment, was unable to reach all areas, and encountered groups that exaggerated their numbers of supporters. The conclusion of majority support must therefore be read alongside the conditions, the survey methods, and the voices that were not counted vote by vote.

Independence and the Making of Malaysia · Chronicle · 6 min read

Was Singapore Merger Referendum Fair?

Singaporeans Were Asked to Choose How to Merge; Opponents Insisted the Most Important Box Was Missing

On September 1, 1962, Singapore held a merger referendum. The ballot offered three merger options, but no simple "do not merge" choice. The government explained that all major political forces accepted the principle of merger, and the dispute was only over the terms; opponents like the Barisan Sosialis called for casting blank votes. Option A ultimately received 70.8%, while blank votes accounted for 25.65%. A few months later, Operation Coldstore detained over a hundred left-wing figures; six months after that, Malaysia was officially formed. The door was opened, but the arguments were not left outside.