Joint Statement by the Philippines, the Federation of Malaya and Indonesia (5 August 1963)

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Joint Statement by the Philippines, the Federation of Malaya and Indonesia (1963)
Governments of the Philippines, the Federation of Malaya and Indonesia
635154Joint Statement by the Philippines, the Federation of Malaya and Indonesia1963Governments of the Philippines, the Federation of Malaya and Indonesia


JOINT STATEMENT[1]BY THE PHILIPPINES, THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA AND INDONESIA. SIGNED AT MANILA, ON 5 AUGUST 1963




The President of the Republic of Indonesia, the President of the Philippines, and the Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya met at a Summit Conference in Manila from July 30 to August 5, 1963.


1. Moved by a sincere desire to solve their common problems in an atmosphere of fraternal understanding, they considered, approved and accepted the Report and Recommendations of the Foreign Ministers of the three countries adopted in Manila on June 11, 1963 (hereafter to be known as the Manila Accord).[2]

2. In order to provide guiding principles for the implementation of the Manila Accord the Heads of Government have issued a declaration known as the Manila Declaration,[3] embodying the common aspirations and objectives of the peoples and governments of the three countries.

3. As a result of the consultations amongst the three Heads of Government in accordance with the principles enunciated in the Manila Declaration, they have resolved various current problems of common concern.

4. Pursuant to paragraphs 10 and 11 of the Manila Accord the United Nations Secretary-General or his representative should ascertain prior to the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia the wishes of the people of Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak within the context of General Assembly Resolution 1541 (XV),[4] Principle 9 of the Annex, by a fresh approach, which in the opinion of the Secretary-General is necessary to ensure complete compliance with the principle of self-determination within the requirements embodied in Principle 9, taking into consideration:

(i) the recent elections in Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak but nevertheless further examining, verifying and satisfying himself as to whether
(a) Malaysia was a major issue, if not the main issue;
(b) Electoral registers were properly compiled;
(c) elections were free and there was no coercion; and
(d) votes were properly polled and properly counted; and
(ii) the wishes of those who, being qualified to vote, would have exercised their right of self-determination in the recent elections had it not been for their detention for political activities, imprisonment for political offences or absence from Sabah (North Borneo) or Sarawak.

5. The Secretary-General will be requested to send working teams to carry out the task set out in paragraph 4.

6. The Federation of Malaya, having undertaken to consult the British Government and the Governments of Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak under paragraph 11 of the Manila Accord on behalf of the three Heads of Government, further undertake to request them to cooperate with the Secretary-General and to extend to him the necessary facilities so as to enable him to carry out his task as set out in paragraph 4.

7. In the interest of the countries concerned, the three Heads of Government deem it desirable to send observers to witness the carrying out of the task to be undertaken by the working teams, and the Federation of Malaya will use its best endeavors to obtain the cooperation of the British Government and the Governments of Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak in furtherance of this purpose.

8. In accordance with paragraph 12 of the Manila Accord, the three Heads of Government decided to request the British Government to agree to seek a just and expeditious solution to the dispute between the British Government and the Philippine Government concerning Sabah (North Borneo) by means of negotiation, conciliation and arbitration, judicial settlement, or other peaceful means of the parties' own choice in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations. The three Heads of Government take cognizance of the position regarding the Philippine claim to Sabah (North Borneo) after the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia as provided under paragraph 12 of the Manila Accord, that is, that the inclusion of Sabah (North Borneo) in the Federation of Malaysia does not prejudice either the claim or any right thereunder.

9. Pursuant to paragraphs 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Manila Accord and the Fifth Principle of the Manila Declaration, that is, the initial steps should be taken towards the establishment of Mapilindo by holding frequent and regular consultations at all levels to be known as Mushawarah Mapilindo, it is agreed that each country shall set up a National Secretariat for Mapilindo affairs and as a first step the respective National Secretariat will consult together with a view to coordinating and cooperating with each other in the study on the setting up of the necessary machinery for Mapilindo. 10. The three Heads of Government emphasized that the responsibility for the preservation of the national independence of the three countries and of the peace and security in their region lies primarily in the hands of the governments and the peoples of the countries concerned, and that the three governments undertake to have close consultations (mushawarah) among themselves on these matters.

11. The three Heads of Government further agreed that foreign bases—temporary in nature—should not be allowed to be used directly or in directly to subvert the national independence of any of the three countries. In accordance with the principle enunciated in the Bandung Declaration, the three countries will abstain from the use of arrangements of collective defence to serve the particular interests of any of the big powers.

12. President Sukarno and Prime Minister Abdul Rahman express their deep appreciation for the initiative taken by President Macapagal in calling the Summit Conference which, in addition to resolving their differences concerning the proposed Federation of Malaysia, resulted in paving the way for the establishment of Mapilindo. The three Heads of Government conclude this Conference, which has greatly strengthened the fraternal ties which bind their three countries and extended the scope of their cooperation and understanding, with renewed confidence that their governments and peoples will together make a significant contribution to the attainment of just and enduring peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Manila, August 5, 1963.

(Signed) Soekarno(Signed) Diosdado Macapagal

(Signed) Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj





  1. Came into force on 5 August 1963, by signature.
  2. See p. 344 of this volume
  3. See p. 352 of this volume
  4. United Nations, Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifteenth Session, Supplement No. 16 (A/4684), p. 29.


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