Sarawak Cession Day : 1st July 1947

Sarawak's Brooke rule ended on lst July 1947.

The last rajah, Charles Vyner Brooke had given the idea of ceding Sarawak to the UK, serious thought, probably throughout the whole of the Second World War and later, the two years after the war.

According to some historians, Vyner Brooke had announced his intention to cede Sarawak to Britain in early 1946. 

Indeed, the British government sent two Malay-speaking Members of Parliament to Sarawak to ascertain whether the people were in favour of cession. It was found that there was sufficient support for cession to be put before the Council Negri. This motion was subsequently debated for three days in the Council Negri. The Bill of Cession was read for the third time on 17 May 1946 and was passed by 19 votes against 16.

Photo shows Charles V. Brooke signing the Instrument of Cession at the Astana, May 1946.

In his Cession Message, he mentioned that he had the best interests of the people of Sarawak in his heart. As he believed that British rule would benefit Sarawak. Most importantly, he believed that the financial standing of the British government would enable Sarawak to develop.

He also said, "the Rajah who was your Father, is now transferring your loyalty to a greater father, the King. In the near future, you will also reach self governance...." He was very paternalistic, the way he looked at his subjects, the Sarawakians.

10 years later, in November, 1957, Sarawak saw its first local government election.