History of Stephen Kalong Ningkan in Timeline

Stephen Kalong Ningkan was a significant Malaysian politician, notably serving as the inaugural Chief Minister of Sarawak. He holds the distinction of being the first ethnic Iban to assume this prominent role, leading the state from 1963. His tenure as Chief Minister concluded in 1966 when he was removed from office. Ningkan's leadership marked a crucial period in Sarawak's early history within Malaysia, shaping its political landscape in the formative years following independence.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

August 1920: Stephen Kalong Ningkan's Birth

Stephen Kalong Ningkan was born in August 1920 in Betong, Sarawak, which was under the administration of the Second Division of Sarawak.

August 1920: Birth of Stephen Kalong Ningkan

Stephen Kalong Ningkan was born in August 1920. He later became the first Chief Minister of Sarawak.

1938: Worked as rubber fund clerk

In 1938, Ningkan started working as a rubber fund clerk.

1939: Worked as rubber fund clerk

In 1939, Ningkan continued to work as a rubber fund clerk.

1940: Joined Sarawak Constabulary

In 1940, Ningkan resigned from his previous job to join the Sarawak Constabulary.

1942: Police Constable

In 1942, Ningkan served as a police constable.

1944: Joined Services Reconnaissance Department

In 1944, Ningkan joined the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), an underground movement based in Jesselton.

1946: Resigned from Sarawak Constabulary

In 1946, Ningkan resigned from the Sarawak Constabulary.

1947: Teacher at former school

From 1947, Ningkan became a teacher at his former school in Betong.

1948: Tony Shaw joined Sarawak civil service

In 1948, Tony Shaw, Cambridge-educated expatriate, joined Sarawak civil service.

1949: John Pike joined Sarawak civil service

In 1949, John Pike, an Oxford graduate expatriate, joined the Sarawak civil service.

1950: Began working at Shell hospital

In 1950, Ningkan started working at a Shell hospital in Kuala Belait, Brunei.

1950: Teacher at former school

Until 1950, Ningkan continued to work as a teacher at his former school in Betong.

1958: Founded Brunei Dayak Association

In 1958, Ningkan founded the Brunei Dayak Association and became its president.

April 1961: Established the Sarawak National Party

On April 10, 1961, Ningkan established the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) by uniting the Iban people of Saribas.

1961: Ended working at Shell hospital

In 1961, Ningkan stopped working at the Shell hospital in Kuala Belait, Brunei.

October 1962: Launched Sarawak chapter of the Alliance Party

In October 1962, as SNAP secretary-general, Ningkan launched the Sarawak chapter of the Alliance Party in anticipation of the 1963 district council elections.

1962: Land Committee produced report

In mid-1962, a Land Committee produced a report with recommendations to ensure the best use of land in the national interest.

September 1963: Haji Ghazali Jawi visited Sarawak

In September 1963, after the formation of Malaysia, Haji Ghazali Jawi visited Sarawak to assess the feasibility of opening an UMNO branch or allowing the merger of PANAS and BARJASA.

October 20, 1963: Death of Mok Ban Seng

On October 20, 1963, Mok Ban Seng, Stephen Kalong Ningkan's step-grandfather, passed away at the age of 93, a few months after Ningkan assumed the role of Chief Minister.

December 1963: Land Code (Amendment) Bill passed

In December 1963, the Land Code (Amendment) Bill was passed, establishing free issue of land title under Native Customary Rights (NCR) lands.

1963: SNAP won majority of local council seats

In 1963, SNAP under the Sarawak Alliance won a majority of local council seats, which led to Ningkan becoming the first Chief Minister of Sarawak.

1963: Stephen Kalong Ningkan became Chief Minister

In 1963, Stephen Kalong Ningkan became the first Chief Minister of Sarawak, marking a significant career milestone.

1963: Appointment as Chief Minister of Sarawak

In 1963, specifically on July 22, Ningkan was appointed as the first Chief Minister of Sarawak by Governor Sir Alexander Waddell. The Supreme Council was also formed.

February 1964: Contents of land bills published

In February 1964, the contents of three land bills were published for public discussion to develop the NCR lands for large-scale plantations.

October 1964: UMNO decided against opening a branch in Sarawak

In October 1964, the UMNO general assembly decided that opening an UMNO branch in Sarawak was not feasible.

March 1965: Postponement of Tabling of Land Bills

The tabling of land bills in the Council Negri, originally scheduled for March 11, 1965, was postponed to May 11 for amendment of the Land (Native Dealings) Bill.

May 1965: Negotiations to resolve the Sarawak government crisis

In May 1965, Ningkan refused to attend a meeting in Kuala Lumpur, stating that "Sarawak crisis must be settled in Sarawak". PESAKA decided to withdraw its support from Sarawak Native Alliance and rejoin the Ningkan's Sarawak Alliance. Ningkan compromised and allowed PANAS and BARJASA to rejoin Sarawak Alliance.

May 1965: Formation of Sarawak Native Alliance and withdrawal from Sarawak Alliance

In May 1965, PANAS, PESAKA, and BARJASA formed the Sarawak Native Alliance and BARJASA and PESAKA withdrew from Sarawak Alliance, costing the Alliance 22 seats and threatening the government. Ningkan withdrew the land bill. Three expatriates were removed from the Supreme Council.

July 1965: Operation Hammer Started

On July 6, 1965, during Ningkan's administration, Operation Hammer was started to resettle the Chinese living along the Kuching-Serian road into a fenced village.

August 1965: Singapore separated from Malaysia and SUPP proposed revising terms of incorporation

In August 1965, after Singapore separated from Malaysia, Stephen Yong Kuet Tze of SUPP proposed revising the terms of Sarawak's incorporation, which angered Ningkan.

1965: Suggested formation of new party

By 1965, it was suggested the formation of a new party through the merger of BARJASA and PANAS.

1965: Pressure to Replace Expatriates

In 1965, the Sarawak Government Asian Officers Union (SGAOU) pressured the Sarawak government to replace expatriates, and Tunku Abdul Rahman supported SGAOU's view.

February 1966: Tunku Abdul Rahman visited Kapit

In February 1966, Tunku Abdul Rahman visited Kapit and persuaded the Iban population to accept the Malay language as the medium of communication.

April 1966: Ningkan on Replacing Expatriates

In April 1966, Ningkan explained that he was ready to replace expatriates if the federal government provided financial support.

June 1966: Dismissal of Abdul Taib Mahmud and Political Intrigue

On 12 June 1966, Ningkan dismissed Abdul Taib Mahmud, the Minister of Communications and Works, citing loss of confidence and acknowledged a plot to overthrow him. On 13 June, the governor of Sarawak and dissident politicians went to Kuala Lumpur for a meeting. On 14 June, Tunku Abdul Rahman stated that he received a letter from the majority of the Council Negri members asking Ningkan to resign.

September 1966: High Court Reinstatement

In September 1966, Ningkan challenged the governor's actions in the Kuching High Court, which ruled in his favor on 8 September 1966. The court declared the governor's actions ultra vires and reinstated Ningkan, necessitating a formal vote of no confidence. The Chief Justice stated the governor could only dismiss the Chief Minister if the Chief Minister lost the confidence of the House and refused to resign.

September 1966: Removal from Chief Minister's Office

On 23 September 1966, a vote of non-confidence was passed in the Council Negri, resulting in Ningkan's second removal from the chief minister's office.

September 1966: Autonomy Demands and Confederation Idea

On 27 September 1966, Ningkan threatened to pull Sarawak out of Malaysia if autonomy demands regarding information, broadcasting, and customs were not met. He advocated for the North Borneo Confederation (Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei) and sought military protection from Britain, Australia, and New Zealand for an independent Sarawak, envisioning closer ties with Singapore. He attempted to persuade his supporters to declare no confidence in the new chief minister.

1966: Removal from office

In 1966, Stephen Kalong Ningkan was removed from his position as Chief Minister of Sarawak, ending his term in office.

1966: State of Emergency and Federal Intervention

In 1966, after Ningkan's reinstatement, he and SUPP tried to dissolve the Council Negri. However, the federal government imposed a state of emergency in Sarawak due to the perceived chaos. On 14 September, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong proclaimed a state of emergency. On 20 September, the Malaysian parliament amended the Sarawak Constitution to empower the state's governor to commence Council Negri meetings.

August 1967: Expatriates to leave government

The expatriates had agreed to serve the government of Sarawak until August 31, 1967, four years after the formation of Malaysia.

December 1967: Federal Court Decision on State of Emergency

On 1 December 1967, Ong Hock Thye, chief judge of Malaya, determined that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had the power to declare a state of emergency. He also stated that the parliament of Malaysia had the power to amend the constitution of Sarawak based on Article 150 of the federal constitution without consulting the governor of Sarawak. There was not enough evidence to suggest that the declaration of emergency was done without consideration of the security situation in Sarawak.

1967: Ningkan Opposes National Language Policy

In 1967, Stephen Kalong Ningkan opposed the National Language and Education policies, suggesting the introduction of the Malay language be deferred from 1967 to 1973. He argued Sarawak had a 10-year grace period to decide on adopting Malay as its official language. Tunku Abdul Rahman accused Ningkan of having a "hidden motive", believing the Dayaks who preferred English were influenced by "British imperialists."

August 1968: Privy Council Rejection

On 1 August 1968, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council rejected Ningkan's appeal, with Lord MacDermott stating there was no reason to doubt the gravity and threat to Sarawak's security during the emergency.