1966 Sarawak constitutional crisis

1966 Sarawak constitutional crisis
Date1965–1966
Location
Caused byDissatisfaction towards Stephen Kalong Ningkan leadership
GoalsRemoval of Stephen Kalong Ningkan from the chief minister post
Methods
Resulted in
  • State of emergency declared in Sarawak
  • Amendment of Sarawak state constitution
  • Removal of Ningkan from chief minister post
Parties
  • Parti Negara Sarawak (PANAS)
  • Barisan Rakyat Jati Sarawak (BARJASA)
  • Parti Pesaka Sarawak (PESAKA)
Lead figures

The 1966 Sarawak constitutional crisis took place in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia from 1965 to 1966. This crisis was started by a group of politicians who were dissatisfied towards Stephen Kalong Ningkan's leadership as chief minister. Ningkan was later removed from the chief minister post by the Governor of Sarawak in June 1966. However, Ningkan was reinstated by the High Court in early September 1966. He was ousted from the chief minister office for the final time at the end of September 1966 and was replaced by Tawi Sli as the new chief minister. It was widely believed that the ouster of Ningkan was a result of interference by the Malaysian federal government due to him being a strong advocate of greater state autonomy.[1][2]

  1. ^ "Weakened federalism in the new federation". The Sun (Malaysia). 25 July 2007. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  2. ^ Boon Kheng Cheah (2002). Malaysia: The Making of a Nation. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 60. ISBN 9789812301543.