On 17 January 1963, Cobbold Commission was set up to explore the perception of the citizens of North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak. The Commission consists of five members: Lord Cobbold, Dato' Wong Pow Nee, En. Mohd Ghazali Shafie, Sir Anthony Abell and Sir David Watherston. Mr. H. Harris acted as Secretary.

On 27 May 1961, during the Conference of Foreign Journalists Association of Southeast Asian at Adelphi Hotel, Singapore,  Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman emphasised the need to establish a plan to bring the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Borneo, Brunei and Sarawak into one form of political cooperation

On 23 July 1961, the meeting of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch Malaya and Borneo in Singapore achieved an agreement to set up the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee, chaired by Donald Stephen.

On 9 July 1963, an important agreement was signed at the Commonwealth Liaison Office at Malborough House, London. The establishment of the Federation of Malaysia Agreement was signed by representatives of the British government, the Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.

On 16 September 1963, the proclamation of Malaysia ceremony was held at Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. Declaration of the formation of Malaysia was read by the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman in front of about 30,000 Malaysians