Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

How Jesselton was founded

 




How Jesselton (Kota Kinabalu) was founded
Published on: Saturday, April 17, 2021
By: British North Borneo Herald
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The Atkinson Tower beside early structures near Bandaran Berjaya in KK.

16TH NOVEMBER, 1899, JESSELTON 

WITH a view to supplying a good coast station for the railway proposed to be put in hand along the West Coast from Beaufort, the Commissioner of Lands, Mr Henry Walker, was recently instructed to inspect the South Channel from Gayah Bay. We now learn that this has resulted in the discovery of a very suitable town site and anchorage on the Coast nearly opposite to old Gayah. 

Mr Walker reports that there are about thirty acres of good dry flat land, over six chains wide and half a mile long, available for a town. They lie at the foot of low grassy hills on which there are good Bungalow sites, and there is good anchorage at a distance of less than half a mile which can be reached by a stone mole and wooden pier. At the T head the depth at L. W. will be 24 feet, sufficient for ocean going steamers. 

The name to be given to the township is Jesselton so named after Sir Charles Jessel, the Vice-Chairman of the British North Borneo Company. Mr Haynes has received instructions to proceed at once with the Residency, and it is hoped the pier, mole and Government buildings will shortly be in course of construction. 


From the hills above Jesselton, which run from 200 to 300 feet high, a view of the country behind shows it to consist of low hills, chiefly grass covered, extending to the Putatan river, beyond which the mountains rise up to the Kinabalu range. 

From Jesselton roads can easily be made to the flourishing district of Putatan on the south, to Mangatal on the North, and to the interior. We expect that before long the telegraph line from Labuan along the coast will be in working order and it will have a principal station at Jesselton. 

5th January, 1900 Report on Immigration and Protectorate

Mr W H Hasting, Acting Superintendent Immigration and Protectorate Department writes: There were 205 coolies registered in this Office during the month: viz., 191 Chinese and 14 of Malay and other nationalities. Of these 25 came from Singapore, 13 were engaged locally and 167 re-engaged on estates. The fees collected in stamps were $5125. 

I acted as Superintendent of Immigration and Protectorate during Dr Denny's absence on account of ill-health and continue to do so pending Dr Denny's return from leave. 

The only case worth recording was, that of a Chinaman who laid a complaint before me against his wife for recovery of his daughter (8 years) from the mother. The parties not having lived together for about a year, the mother having taken care of child up to present time, and the father being unfit to look after the child, custody of child was given to the mother. 

Charles Jessel

 

Report on Province Keppel 

Mr Haynes writes:- 

1st December. I sent ammunition to Papar. 

The Menggatal clerks came in to report on the state of affairs there. 

2nd. During the night received two letters from Putatan on the movements of Mat Salleh's men. 

3rd. The s.s. Labuan from Sandakan at 10 o'clock a.m. 

Mr Commissioner Walker and Mr Malcom passengers on board. 

I went with the s.s. Labuan to Jesselton to point out the Beacons to Capt. Pfort, who has, I think, sent in a report on the Harbour, the ship anchored, where the T Head is to be held. 

5th. Mr Malcolm left for Ambong. 

I paid Pengeran Kahar $30, the price of a slave who had complained of ill-treatment. 

6th. Cleared along the banks of the small stream at the South of Gantian, and put on a guard there. 


7th. Went to Jesselton, asked the Chief Seedik to arrange about the purchase of the coconut plantation at Deasoka. 

8th. Put up some posts to mark the line of the wharf. 

9th. From the top of the hill at the back of Jesselton I saw the Sub-Commandant Dansey and Mr Atkinson with 15 police coming from Putatan. They marched into Jesselton at about 9 o'clock am. 

12th. Report brought in that Sleman the paid Menggatal Chief, had looted the shops there, and was preparing to go up-country. 

13th. Arrested Sleman, the son of Karim, (Bajau of Menggatal) for threatening to kill the Chinese traders there. 

The s.s. Tringganau from Sandakan arrived at 8 o'clock a.m., bringing the Commandant, 24 men and 2 guns. 

Sleman, the Government Chief of Menggatal, has gone to join Mat Salleh. 

14th. The steam launch Marudu returned from Ambong at 1-30 am. 

Started off the clerk Arsat to Api Api to get firewood for the launch. 

The steam launch Marudu left for Papar at 8 o'clock am. 

Vasawa Sing sworn in as a special P.C. 

Pengeran Kahar brought in Muntri Raja Chief of Kumbrian and Keladon of Paluton. 

Sleman is reported to be at Nati. 

H.M.S. Rattler came in from Labuan at 5 O'clock pm. 

15th. The steam launch Marudu from Papar at 12-30 a.m. bringing Sub-Commandant Dansey and Mr Atkinson. 

Letter from the clerk at Mengkabong saying that Toyok and his party had burnt down the Government Station at Tarubong (Mengkabong).  

The Police started overland for Mengkabong at 9-30 a.m. and H.M.S. Rattler left for Kuala Mengkabong at noon. 

H.M.S. Rattler returned to Gantian at 5 o'clock p.m. with the Police on board. 


The Tuaran Dusons have responded promptly to the Government call for carriers – 168 have already come in under the Chief Malogub. 

Report on Kudat 

Mr Resident Barraut in his report for November, writes:- 

A lunatic got burnt at the hospital, an inquest was held and the jury brought in a verdict of "accidental death," this I have reported under separate cover. 

Happy Valley was visited several times, the settlers had to be paid some compensation owing to the new road passing through their gardens, which necessitated some fruit and coffee trees having to be cut down. 

Mr White, the Treasurer, returned from sick-leave on the 11th and took over his duties the same day. A prisoner ran away on the 12th and was captured the next day. 

S.L. Benkoka was finished during the month. The Market was opened to the public on the 15th, the tables were auctioned and realised very fair prices, this building was erected by prison labour. 

During this month there was a murder case tried by the Sessions Courts, the jury brought in one of the culprits guilty of the capital offence. 

Sub-Commandant Dansey passed through on his way to Labuan on the 16th with some Police.  

Contracts were signed for repairs of all the culverts in the old settlement. 

I visited the Telegraph rentis, they had reached Nangka, the erecting of the line had ceased owing to the want of insulators, the coolies were engaged in widening the rentis. 

On 26th, Messrs Wilson, Dansey and Malcolm arrived in s.s. Kelantan, the former returned from leave and the others were over carried being unable to arrive at their destination, I tried to charter a launch to send them on, but unfortunately was unable. Sub-Commandant Dansey put the force through section fireing and various drills whilst here. 

They proceeded per s.s. Labuan for Ambong and Kimanis. 

The District has been quiet during this period. The rumour of Mat Salleh which Hadji Drahim received, I have reported under separate cover, the old man is very nervous and has built a fort round his house at Linau, Limauhan. 

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Do we remember this ?


Written by Dr. John Brian Anthony

Dayakbaru:

The 20 point agreement / 18 point agreement is between made between TWO countries ( Malaya and Sabah / Malaya and Sarawak).

Such being the case, no changes can be made on the agreement without the consent of the other. In the case, they seemed to be effort by the Federal Government to put aside this agreement or even ignore this agreement as it gets their way of integrating Sabah and sarawak according to West malaysia UMNO point of views and political agenda.

Sabah and sarawak must NEVER give up on this agreement as it provides us with more autonomy. The founding fathers has the foresight to see the greed of West Malaysian and sadly for Sabah since UMNO has come in and rule Sabah it has lost most of its autonomy. sarawak should continue to fight to uphold the 18 points agreement. While working with PKR those leaders from sarawak MUST insist that Pakatan Rakyat respect and enforce the 18 point agreement when they do come into power.

Monitor and review the implementation of the agreement

The government of Sarawak may like to consider setting a monitoring and reviewing committee to consolidate the implementation status and audit the programme that has been set to comply with the agreement. That will help Sarawak Malaysian to understand how much has been done in respect to the 18 point agreement.

Probably it would be good initiative to trace this document back in the UK to find more detail on the intent, spirit, process and even minutes of discussion leading to the signing of these agreement.

A memorandum for House of Lord in UK

Where is the Cobbold commission report now – probably in UK too. Malaya would never want to show it because the result is 33% want Malaysia, 33% do not want Malaysia and 33% undecided. How they concluded that Sabah and Sarawak should join Malaysia based on the statistics only “Allah” know. The British has some explaining to do to both Sarawak and sabah. Maybe a memorandum should be sent to the House of Lord to ask for explanation on the matter.

What is the agreement all about?

The 20-point agreement, or the 20-point memorandum, is an agreement made between the state of Sabah (then North Borneo) with what would be the federal government of Malaysia prior to the formation of Malaysia in September 16, 1963. A similar agreement was made between the state of Sarawak and the federal government but with certain differences in their 18-point agreement

The agreement

Point 1: Religion

While there was no objection to Islam being the national religion of Malaysia there should be no State religion in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah), and the provisions relating to Islam in the present Constitution of Malaya should not apply to Borneo

Point 2: Language

* a. Malay should be the national language of the Federation

* b. English should continue to be used for a period of 10 years after Malaysia Day

* c. English should be an official language of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) for all purposes, State or Federal, without limitation of time.

Point 3: Constitution

Whilst accepting that the present Constitution of the Federation of Malaya should form the basis of the Constitution of Malaysia, the Constitution of Malaysia should be a completely new document drafted and agreed in the light of a free association of states and should not be a series of amendments to a Constitution drafted and agreed by different states in totally different circumstances. A new Constitution for Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) was of course essential.

Point 4: Head of Federation

The Head of State in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should not be eligible for election as Head of the Federation

Point 5: Name of Federation

“Malaysia” but not “Melayu Raya”

Point 6: Immigration

Control over immigration into any part of Malaysia from outside should rest with the Central Government but entry into Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should also require the approval of the State Government. The Federal Government should not be able to veto the entry of persons into Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) for State Government purposes except on strictly security grounds. Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should have unfettered control over the movements of persons other than those in Federal Government employ from other parts of Malaysia Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah).

Point 7: Right of Secession

There should be no right to secede from the Federation

Point 8: Borneanisation

Borneanisation of the public service should proceed as quickly as possible.

Point 9: British Officers

Every effort should be made to encourage British Officers to remain in the public service until their places can be taken by suitably qualified people from Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah)

Point 10: Citizenship

The recommendation in paragraph 148(k) of the Report of the Cobbold Commission should govern the citizenship rights in the Federation of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) subject to the following amendments:

* a) sub-paragraph (i) should not contain the proviso as to five years residence

* b) in order to tie up with our law, sub-paragraph (ii)(a) should read “7 out of 10 years” instead of “8 out of 10 years”

* c) sub-paragraph (iii) should not contain any restriction tied to the citizenship of parents – a person born in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) after Malaysia must be federal citizen.

Point 11: Tariffs and Finance

Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should retain control of its own finance, development and tariff, and should have the right to work up its own taxation and to raise loans on its own credit.

Point 12: Special position of indigenous races

In principle, the indigenous races of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should enjoy special rights analogous to those enjoyed by Malays in Malaya, but the present Malays’ formula in this regard is not necessarily applicable in Borneo(Sarawak & Sabah)

Point 13: State Government

* a) the Prime Minister should be elected by unofficial members of Legislative Council

* b) There should be a proper Ministerial system in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah)

Point 14: Transitional period

This should be seven years and during such period legislative power must be left with the State of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) by the Constitution and not be merely delegated to the State Government by the Federal Government

Point 15: Education

The existing educational system of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should be maintained and for this reason it should be under state control

Point 16: Constitutional safeguards

No amendment modification or withdrawal of any special safeguard granted to Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should be made by the Central Government without the positive concurrence of the Government of the State of North Borneo

The power of amending the Constitution of the State of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should belong exclusively to the people in the state. (Note: The United Party, The Democratic Party and the Pasok Momogun Party considered that a three-fourth majority would be required in order to effect any amendment to the Federal and State Constitutions whereas the UNKO and USNO considered a two-thirds majority would be sufficient)

Point 17: Representation in Federal Parliament

This should take account not only of the population of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) but also of its seize and potentialities and in any case should not be less than that of Singapore

Point 18: Name of Head of State

Yang di-Pertua Negara

Point 19: Name of State

Sarawak or Sabah

Point 20: Land, Forests, Local Government, etc.

The provisions in the Constitution of the Federation in respect of the powers of the National Land Council should not apply in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah). Likewise, the National Council for Local Government should not apply in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah).

*Merger

In 1961, when the Malayan government began discussing a possible merger with neighbouring Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, problems of ethnic power relations arose again. The “Malaysia” proposal sans Sabah and Sarawak went back more than a decade; earlier negotiations had proved fruitless. The Singaporeans themselves were not anxious to be ruled by what they considered a Malay government. By 1961, however, Singapore had grown receptive to the idea of joining Malaysia, largely because of the prevailing idea at the time that industrial Singapore could not survive without access to Malayan markets.

Singapore Chinese population is a threat to Malaya

The Malayan government was not keen on having the Chinese Singaporean population push the Malays into a minority position in the new Malaysia. Many Malays felt that upsetting the Malay-dominated nature of the armed forces and police might place them in a dangerous situation. It was also argued that the inferior economic position of the Malays would be emphasised by the entry of even more rich Chinese, setting the stage for major discontent.

Malaya get Sabah and Sarawak to form Malaysia to make use of their native population numbers

The Malayans decided to resolve this by merging with Sabah and Sarawak; both British colonies had large native populations whom the government considered “Malay”. Under Article 160 of the Constitution, most of them were not Malay; the natives were mainly animists or Christians instead of Muslims as required. To resolve this issue, the government expanded its informal definition of “Malay” to include these people.

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