been ejected from Malaysia, and had experienced an extended period of racial and religious tension resulting from the Maria Hertogh riots. This experience reinforced the need for a multiracial society based on equality among races. The commission, in its report on 27 August 1966, found that such equality was best protected by giving minority rights equal footing with the fundamental liberties in the Constitution. In addition, it recommended a "Council of State", an advisory body that would inform the Government of the effects its laws would have on minorities. This concept was based on the Kenyan Council of State which was established in 1958 during its phase of transition to African majority rule. The idea of an advisory body which could not significantly impede the legislative agenda was viewed by lawmakers as a promising innovation. In addition, the creation of an advisory council ensuring equal treatment in legislation was very much in line with the idea that, as citizens become increasingly aware of racial and religious issues, national growth will very much depend on an approach to such problems that is not fraught with religious and racial tensions. Some of the recommendations for the new Council of State included the following: Members of the council were to be appointed after consultation with the Prime Minister, but at the President's discretion. No member should belong to a political party. Membership would be assigned and renewed for a specified period of either three, six or nine years. Proceedings should be held in public. Parliamentary debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 1969 The Constitution (Amendment) Act 1969 was passed on 23 December 1969 to create the "Presidential Council" based heavily on the proposed Council of State. The amendment took effect on 9 January 1970. This council was subsequently renamed the Presidential Council for Minority Rights in 1973. Although the proposal of the commission was accepted by Parliament, it nonetheless made several changes that led to the substantial differences from the original proposal, including the following: Appointments to the council are made by the President on the advice of the Cabinet. There are two categories members, namely, permanent and non-permanent members, with the permanent members holding life tenure. Members of Parliament (MPs), including ministers, are not precluded from sitting in the council and serving their terms in Parliament simultaneously. Affiliation with a political party is not a bar to Council membership. Supporters of the