Sarawak PoD 1949 - A TL
- Thread starter Woolly Mammoth
- Start date
Who want to claim Sabah you say?
Besides, any attempt to claim Sabah will met with opposition. Why lay claim on Sabah when Phillipines central government does not even recognize Kingdom of Sulu? The area formerly own by Sultan of Sulu was sold to multiple tenants and only consists of 1/3rd of whole Sabah area. (West coast area was formerly owned by Brunei, and no one owns the inner area.)
Sarawak isn't necessarily going to own Sabah, and there could be a pro-Philippine faction that stages a coup with the aid of Manila, possibly setting off a civil war.
Though I agree, the situation between Malaya and Singapore will be interesting...
Actually, now that I think of it, would Singapore even join the Malayan federation in TTL? Malaya in OTL became independent in 1957, and Singapore remained British until 1963 before joining the federation for two years. If Sarawak, Brunei and possibly Sabah are separate, setting the precedent for independent states, maybe Singapore would also decide that its future should be as an separate Chinese-majority city-state. On the other hand, maybe it would want to join Malaya (or, alternatively, to join Sarawak!) to protect itself from regional conflicts.
An entry by the British on Sarawak's side will necessitate an entry of the United States on the Philippines' side (Mutual Defense Treaty). Plus, during this era every war the United States had is a war with its Asian allies. Philippine forces would be veterans of the Korean War and the Vietnam War (if any) plus its navy would be force-fed and maintained by the United States. This will have interesting effects on the Cold War.
And depending on how things unfold, Indonesians might jump in depending if Malaya/Sarawak will not humiliate them via the Konfrontasi.
Disregarding the things above, you'd have to either eliminate those things or find a workaround if you want Sarawak to survive. Its pretty easy.
Suluks? Bajaus? Illanuns?
The Suluks? Maybe. Others? Don't think so. There's a reason why Brits establishing a military colony at East Coast... The Bruneians had a considerable numbers in West Coast... And the interiors was not favoring both... So there will be a Pro-Philippine faction, albeit in a small number.*
From David Marshall point of view? IDK. I do favor however(I'd just not gonna lie), that Singapore will join Sarawak. Not only because the Chinese here was a majority(In th 50's), But there was less bigoted politicians to deal with**(Although they will be LOL'ed because of Ningkan's broken Malay***).
How 'bout Aussies and Kiwis? ANZAC Forces will need new base to replace Butterworth in the upcoming Korea and the 'Nam...
You making me remember one of my friend's lame joke. "Malaysia hate Singapore, Singapore hate Malaysia, Indonesia hate them both..."
And Bung Karno will be in for a nasty surprise...
Seriously, Soekarno largely depends on under-trained and under armed nationalist and communist to raid Sarawak interior only to be shocked to realized that they were not welcomed there...
*Benedict Sandin, Pengachau di Saba' (Conflict in Sabah). After a leader of Pro-Sulu faction was killed in a battle(Mat Salleh), most of the faction leaders was either exiled and convicted.
**UMNO slogan haven't yet changed from "Hidup Melayu"(Long Live The Malays) to Merdeka(Independence). UMNO racial slurs in Malayan newspapers was there even before the formation of Malaysia...
*** Stephen Kalong Ningkan spoke really broken Malay(or Sarawakian Malay)... If some of our forumers here spoke Malay, He sure be LOL'ed by his written statement...
The Suluks? Maybe. Others? Don't think so. There's a reason why Brits establishing a military colony at East Coast... The Bruneians had a considerable numbers in West Coast... And the interiors was not favoring both... So there will be a Pro-Philippine faction, albeit in a small number.*
From David Marshall point of view? IDK. I do favor however(I'd just not gonna lie), that Singapore will join Sarawak. Not only because the Chinese here was a majority(In th 50's), But there was less bigoted politicians to deal with**(Although they will be LOL'ed because of Ningkan's broken Malay***).
How 'bout Aussies and Kiwis? ANZAC Forces will need new base to replace Butterworth in the upcoming Korea and the 'Nam...
You making me remember one of my friend's lame joke.
"Malaysia hate Singapore, Singapore hate Malaysia, Indonesia hate them both..."And Bung Karno will be in for a nasty surprise...
Seriously, Soekarno largely depends on under-trained and under armed nationalist and communist to raid Sarawak interior only to be shocked to realized that they were not welcomed there...
*Benedict Sandin, Pengachau di Saba' (Conflict in Sabah). After a leader of Pro-Sulu faction was killed in a battle(Mat Salleh), most of the faction leaders was either exiled and convicted.
**UMNO slogan haven't yet changed from "Hidup Melayu"(Long Live The Malays) to Merdeka(Independence). UMNO racial slurs in Malayan newspapers was there even before the formation of Malaysia...
*** Stephen Kalong Ningkan spoke really broken Malay(or Sarawakian Malay)... If some of our forumers here spoke Malay, He sure be LOL'ed by his written statement...
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The british and Malayasian are still in TTL going to be broadly for a union but Singapore is going to be generally against - Ill expand it soon. In addition Singapore ITTL is gaining many chinese refugees that would have gone to Sarawak but didnt being of "The Rumblings" - therefore causing butterflies
In this time line I am using Sarawak and Eastern conflict to interfere with British political history and the decline of the empire, expect them to follow a much more independant foriegn policy. In addition the commonwealth is going to form a unified military alliance ITTL that will help Protect Sarawak.
I cant see Singapore joining Sarawak easily, they have little want to join a monarchy based quite a way from them, however Sabah is another matter.
EDIT - Sorry everyone by the way - been on holiday
Hopefully update soon.I don't see Singapore joining with Sarawak either. What would they have to gain?
But might they otherwise have friendly relations, trade and mutual defense-wise?
They are going to be friendly - but your right Singapore has very little to gain with Sarawak, they might try monetary union at some point though
La Rouge Beret
Donor
Would the relationship be similar to OTL Brunei and Singapore, usage of Sing Dollar defence relationships etc?
Monetary and military union between: Singapore, Sarawak ( incl. Sabah and Kalimantan ), Brunei and United New Guinea.
Re: United New Guinea. In 60es Dutch gvt does not cede Western ( Dutch ) New Guinea to Indonezia, but "sells" it to the sovereign running the Eastern New Guinea. The disolving British Empire moves the control over it to the independent ( but in the Commonwealth ) Sarawak-Sabah. United New Guinea ( Papua ) becomes temporary a colony of Sarawak-Sabah, and later receives independence as a full fledge member of the Commonwealth of Sarawak-Sabah-Kalimantan + Borneo + United Papua + Singapore. In the mean time Singapore and Sarawak-Sabah and Brunei form military, customs, monetary... alliance. They beat up together Indonesia for Kalimantan which is annexed by Sarawak-Sabah. Thus Sarawak-Sabah gets the whole island of Borneo except Brunei.
Side effect of the failure of Indonesia to incorporate Borneo and Western New Guinea is that the Indonesian regime falls in favor of pan-malay nationalist movement. ( Timor in 1978 joins the Sarawak Commonwealth ).
Malaysia and Indonesia unite into Malay Union.
Re: United New Guinea. In 60es Dutch gvt does not cede Western ( Dutch ) New Guinea to Indonezia, but "sells" it to the sovereign running the Eastern New Guinea. The disolving British Empire moves the control over it to the independent ( but in the Commonwealth ) Sarawak-Sabah. United New Guinea ( Papua ) becomes temporary a colony of Sarawak-Sabah, and later receives independence as a full fledge member of the Commonwealth of Sarawak-Sabah-Kalimantan + Borneo + United Papua + Singapore. In the mean time Singapore and Sarawak-Sabah and Brunei form military, customs, monetary... alliance. They beat up together Indonesia for Kalimantan which is annexed by Sarawak-Sabah. Thus Sarawak-Sabah gets the whole island of Borneo except Brunei.
Side effect of the failure of Indonesia to incorporate Borneo and Western New Guinea is that the Indonesian regime falls in favor of pan-malay nationalist movement. ( Timor in 1978 joins the Sarawak Commonwealth ).
Malaysia and Indonesia unite into Malay Union.
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Whilst that is an interesting idea Australia is going to have more of a role and interest in East Papua. Singapore has little interest in much more than an economic alliance that will benefit themselves, Indonesia would fight much more strongly if Kalimantan itself was at risk. Brunei is going to get closer to Sarawak but not in that way.
Yess... Can't wait for an update...
Apologies about the delay - what with it being Halloween and all I have been really busy
Sorry everyone.Singapore - will have other stimuli , too - it will be pressed by Malay super-state from both sides. So his positives will be trade-monetary union + military guarantees vs. the Malay. In fact Singapore would remain as kinda enclave within Malaya.
Australia - will support the United Papua project, because thus both Australia and Britain keep the territory within their circles of interest, and simultaneously have the one to deal with its problems.
Brunei - similar stimulae as with Singapore.
Besides, the Papuas was too far away from Sarawak.
An union between Malaya and Indonesia will be Indonesia Raya(Greater Indonesia)... Malayan Union was too far-fetched... There's a lot of other races there(Achehnese, Minangs, Bugis, etc.)...
Sarawak isnt exactly a super state and Singapore wont want the risk of being attacked ITTL Konfrontasi that may result from joining it. It isnt going to remain permantently with Malaya but rather a more OTL ending.
They may support united papua but they arnt going to want Sarawak to interfere with it.
Update - Bit of a left-field one too
Christmas Island Map - Sarawak Tourist Office
Christmas Island far out in the Indian Ocean had long been administer through the Straits Settlements and then Singapore. The population is mainly chinese and Malay brought to mine the plentiful phosphorate deposits.
In 1951 after the elections in Britain Attlee's government was looking for ways to raise funds without hurting public opinion in Britain. However events were conspiring against him, British forces were getting drawn into expensive wars in Malaya and Korea, spread thin defending a costly empire. What britain did not need was more trouble.
The chinese of Christmas Island and their Malay, worried by the evolving situation in Malaya were worried about the possibility of having to join a Greater Malay state where chinese may not have voting rights, or become part of a Singapore unable to defend them in case of trouble. Inspired by the sucess of action in Sarawak they rose up in protest and demostration.
The British government saw salvation in Sarawak, it was already a stable multi-cultural state, they were loyal and spoke Malay. They had good record of accomodating chinese interests and perhaps most importantly, Rajah Brooke had an offer to make. Sarawak would govern the island in a similar way to crown colonies, running them through autonomous local governments and an office in the Council Negri. Despite heated protests from some Sarawak chinese and the emerging PGRS - Pasukan Gelilya Rakyat Sarawak (Sarawak People's Guerilla Force) - the name the extreme aspects of the former YMA had taken, as communists they opposed this act of "imperialism". The Council Negri noticed these protests and sought to quash them by infiltrating the group with informers, these operations were led from an office with a black door in the Council Negri building as so the fledgling Sarawak Intelligence Service got called "The blacks" (Hitam).
Despite this in December 1952 both the Council Negri and British government signed a treaty transferring the Cocos & Keeling Isles along with Christmas Island, to Sarawak control. They were "the Rajah's christmas gift" and cost Sarawak a cool £2.9 million. Australia complained to the UK government but they protest were mostly dealt with by Attlee without causing distress - merely embarrasing Menzies by making him seem an agressive character. In Australia Evatt tried to use the issue to display Menzies as incompetant but instead was out-spoken by Menzies eloquance. Over the course of the winter he in fact made three trips to Sarawak, famously getting on brilliantly with Anthony Brooke after their first meeting. Perhaps this is not suprising as both were strong beleivers in Monarchy and Tradition, particually their ties to Britain.
Sir Robert Menzies - Australian Prime Minister and friend of the Rajah.
The most important aspect of these talks was perhaps the Christmas Island Agreement, whereby Australia promised to strengthen ties to Sarawak, support them in case of Invasion and to invest in development, secretly they formed an anti-communist agreement to stop its spread in both their countries, Brooke did not want to outright ban the communists as Menzies had done but instead put them under close survellance.
Flag of Sarawak Dependancy of Christmas and Cocos.
Christmas Island Map - Sarawak Tourist Office
Christmas Island far out in the Indian Ocean had long been administer through the Straits Settlements and then Singapore. The population is mainly chinese and Malay brought to mine the plentiful phosphorate deposits.
In 1951 after the elections in Britain Attlee's government was looking for ways to raise funds without hurting public opinion in Britain. However events were conspiring against him, British forces were getting drawn into expensive wars in Malaya and Korea, spread thin defending a costly empire. What britain did not need was more trouble.
The chinese of Christmas Island and their Malay, worried by the evolving situation in Malaya were worried about the possibility of having to join a Greater Malay state where chinese may not have voting rights, or become part of a Singapore unable to defend them in case of trouble. Inspired by the sucess of action in Sarawak they rose up in protest and demostration.
The British government saw salvation in Sarawak, it was already a stable multi-cultural state, they were loyal and spoke Malay. They had good record of accomodating chinese interests and perhaps most importantly, Rajah Brooke had an offer to make. Sarawak would govern the island in a similar way to crown colonies, running them through autonomous local governments and an office in the Council Negri. Despite heated protests from some Sarawak chinese and the emerging PGRS - Pasukan Gelilya Rakyat Sarawak (Sarawak People's Guerilla Force) - the name the extreme aspects of the former YMA had taken, as communists they opposed this act of "imperialism". The Council Negri noticed these protests and sought to quash them by infiltrating the group with informers, these operations were led from an office with a black door in the Council Negri building as so the fledgling Sarawak Intelligence Service got called "The blacks" (Hitam).
Despite this in December 1952 both the Council Negri and British government signed a treaty transferring the Cocos & Keeling Isles along with Christmas Island, to Sarawak control. They were "the Rajah's christmas gift" and cost Sarawak a cool £2.9 million. Australia complained to the UK government but they protest were mostly dealt with by Attlee without causing distress - merely embarrasing Menzies by making him seem an agressive character. In Australia Evatt tried to use the issue to display Menzies as incompetant but instead was out-spoken by Menzies eloquance. Over the course of the winter he in fact made three trips to Sarawak, famously getting on brilliantly with Anthony Brooke after their first meeting. Perhaps this is not suprising as both were strong beleivers in Monarchy and Tradition, particually their ties to Britain.
Sir Robert Menzies - Australian Prime Minister and friend of the Rajah.
The most important aspect of these talks was perhaps the Christmas Island Agreement, whereby Australia promised to strengthen ties to Sarawak, support them in case of Invasion and to invest in development, secretly they formed an anti-communist agreement to stop its spread in both their countries, Brooke did not want to outright ban the communists as Menzies had done but instead put them under close survellance.
Flag of Sarawak Dependancy of Christmas and Cocos.
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This is still awesome. Now I have to pit some thought into Sarawak in this timeline.
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WHOA!!! Christmas Island??!!!!
Oookay... We got no tin, but we got rubber and oil...
2.9 million Pound was an acceptable rate...
And now phosporate
The price was the one the Aussies paid IOTL for Christmas Island. Seeing as it is ethically Malay and Chinese though I thought this wouldnt be too inplausible.
EDIT - Updated the above a bit
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