The formation of Malaysia as part of Britain's “decolonization” plan was an extremely controversial issue opposed both locally and internationally in the 1960s. According to the declassified secret British colonial documents Britain had secretly planned a direct transfer (the “second cession” or annexation) of its Borneo colonial territories to Malayan rule without even first granting independence to the territories. Its critics said it was just exchanging the old colonial master for a new one. In other words, it was a shocking denial of their inalienable right to self-determination.