The 1941 constitution of Sarawak is the first known written constitution in the

Raj of Sarawak (While I breathe, I hope) , national_anthem = ''Gone Forth Beyond the Sea'' , capital = Kuching , common_languages = English, Iban, Melanau, Bidayuh, Sarawak Malay, Chinese etc. , government_type = Absolut ...

Borneo. The objective of this constitution was to approve and fulfill the promise upheld by the third

white rajah The White Rajahs were a dynastic monarchy of the British Brooke family, who founded and ruled the Raj of Sarawak, located on the north west coast of the island of Borneo, from 1841 to 1946. The first ruler was Briton James Brooke. As a reward ...

of Sarawak,

Charles Vyner Brooke Vyner, Rajah of Sarawak, GCMG, full name Charles Vyner de Windt Brooke (26 September 1874 – 9 May 1963) was the third and last White Rajah of the Raj of Sarawak. Early life The son of Charles Brooke and his wife Margaret de Windt ( Ranee Ma ...

— to give self-governance of Sarawak to the locals. However, his constitution was not implemented due to the Japanese Occupation. With the devastation and financial struggle of Sarawak, Charles Brooke without the discussion and approval of the local Malay and

Dayaks The Dayak (; older spelling: Dajak) or Dyak or Dayuh are one of the native groups of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic groups, located principally in the central and southern interior of Borneo, each ...

leaders decided to submit Sarawak to the

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

. This caused huge dissatisfaction among the locals, who would later form a

protest A protest (also called a demonstration, remonstration or remonstrance) is a public expression of objection, disapproval or dissent towards an idea or action, typically a political one. Protests can be thought of as acts of coopera ...

about the cession of Sarawak to the United Kingdom. Among the contents are: 1.

handing absolute power to the Supreme Council and the Council of State
2. Sarawak kings ruled with the advice of the Supreme Council
3. The State Council is authorised to approve laws and financial management
4. The King has the power to overturn legislation passed by the State Council
5. The King appoints most of the members of the Supreme Council and the Council of State

See also