§ Mr. Rees-Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement, regarding the proposals on citizenship and jurisdiction in the Malay States which have emerged from the discussions between the Malayan Government and the representatives of the Malays and announced on 24th December.
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2. Mr. Creech Jones1.Citizenship.—The proposals contain revised provisions for federal citizenship, which have been framed in an endeavour to open the doors of citizenship to those, and only to those, who genuinely regard Malaya as their home and as the object of their loyalty—a definition which of course includes, besides the Malays, the very considerable number of Chinese, Indians and others who are firmly rooted in the country.
Jurisdiction in the Malay States.—
It is proposed that the revised Constitution should be embodied in a new federation agreement. Legal force would be given to this agreement by an Order of His Majesty in Council, which would revoke the existing Malayan Union Order in Council. There would also be separate agreements with the individual Rulers superseding previous agreements. In the future, His Majesty's jurisdiction within the Malay States would be restricted to matters relating to defence and external affairs and appeals to His Majesty in Council. As in the past, however, Their Highnesses the Rulers would undertake to accept British advice in all matters of Government except those relating to the Mohammedan religion and Malay custom.