In the context of 'As a counterweight to the Singapore Chinese, he would bring in the North Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak, granting them special privileges for their indigenous populations and funds for the development of their backward economies.', does 'The states of Sabah and Sarawak were granted special privileges for their indigenous populations.' stand alone without direct association?
As a counterweight to the Singapore Chinese, he would bring in the North Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak, granting them special privileges for their indigenous populations and funds for the development of their backward economies.###The states of Sabah and Sarawak were granted special privileges for their indigenous populations.