This crisis Catastrophe was started by a group of politicians who were dissatisfied towards Stephen Kalong Ningkan 's leadership as chief minister .

Ningkan was later removed Removing from the chief minister post by the Governor of Sarawak in June 1966 .

However , Ningkan was reinstated Recovering by the High Court in early September 1966 .

It was widely believed that the ouster Departing of Ningkan was a result of interference by the Malaysian federal government due to him being a strong advocate of greater state autonomy .