Malaya And Singapore Discuss Security

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28921, 15 June 1959, Page 11

Malaya And Singapore Discuss Security

(Rec. 10.47 p.m.) KUALA LUMPUR, June 13. The Prime Ministers of Malaya and Singapore today announced willingness to co-operate on internal security matters in their two strategic Asian territories.

A joint statement, issued after talks in Kuala Lumpur, did not mention the problem of Communist subversion, but reporters said this was implied by the reference to “security.”

Dato Abdul Razak, the Malayan Premier and Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the newly-appointed Singapore Premier, conferred for several hours behind closed doors. They were assisted by Cabinet Ministers from both Governments.

Further meetings are expected to be held soon to determine in detail future relations between Malaya, an independent country, and Singapore, the tiny fortress island which Britain has given home rule.

An official statement described the talks as “both cordial and lively with free, frank and friendly discussion of many matters of mutual Interest and concern to both territories.” The internal security council, which is to have three British, three Singapore members and one Malayan member, was the chief subject of the talks. The three Governments will make an official announcement of the council’s composition on Monday. Its first meeting will be in July. The main points of the communique were: Dato Abdul Razak said Malaya would always try to understand Singapore’s point of view on internal security matters, and he was confident the Singapore Government would show equal concern for the preservation of internal security in Malaya. All present at the talks firmly agreed that under no circumstances would they countenance any attempts to arouse racial or communal friction. A common procedure on channels of communication between the two Governments would be set up.

The Malayan Government extended a cordial welcome to Singapore Ministers and officials to visit Malaya at any time relative to closer coordination on matters of mutual interest to both areas.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew reiterated that his Government intended to co-operate, not to compete

with, its Malayan counterpart.

This was the first meeting between the two leaders since Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s People’s Action Party swept to power in elections which created the new State of Singapore and ended the island’s 140-year-old colonial status.