Lord Cobbold

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.