“Campaign In Malaya Virtually At An End”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29102, 14 January 1960, Page 10

“Campaign In Malaya Virtually At An End”

(New Zeaiana Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 13: The Prime Minister of Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman, said on his arrival at Whenuapai tonight that the campaign against the Communist terrorists in Malaya could be called off at any time. “It is our intention to do this,” he said. “But we have to substitute some other laws for the emergency regulations. We are preparing legislation now to deal with any Communist terrorist elements that might arise later.” The Tunku said no Communist Party incidents had been reported in the Federation for many months past. “The real problem is over,” he said.

Asked whether in that event it was necessary to keep New Zealand forces in Malaya, the Tunku said that the New Zealanders were not in Malaya primarily to fight the Communist terrorists. They were stationed there as part of the Commonwealth Strategic Force.

They are merely helping a friend in trouble as it were,” he said. “They Are not there to fight terrorists only.”

The Tunku said the Federation did not intend to join S.E.A.T.O. Malaya had a treaty with the United Kingdom by which it was bound to help the United Kingdom if it was involved in a war following attacks on certain territories—Hong Kong and Borneo, for instance.

Similarly, if Malaya was attacked, the United Kingdom was bound to come to its aid. The Commonwealth Strategic Force was also stationed in Malaya. “With all that aid, I don't think there is any need to join any other treaty,” he said. “Some of the nations in S.E.A.T.O. depend on American aid. We are in the Commonwealth. I don’t see why we should want to join the other side since we are already bouna by treaties to help one another.” The Tunku said he did not see any possibility of a merger between Malaya and Singapore. There were Malayans in Singapore, but there were also aliens who would never become Malayans and who wanted to perpetuate their own language and culture without trying to reconcile it with a Malayan outlook and culture.

Trade Prospects ’ Speaking of trade prospects between New Zealand and his country, the Tunku said a lot could be done to . increase trade Malaya was the leading rubber producer in the world and exported tea and tin which could be used in New Zealand. Malaya needed meat, fruits and flour. He thought a lot could be done after he had had discussions with Ministers in Wellington. “I have come to New Zealano because I want to strengthen the ties of friendship between our

two countries,” said the Tunku ‘‘So much can be achieved through friendly discussion. We are both strong believers in the existence of the Commonwealth and strong supporters of parliamentary democracy. “As travel goes faster, our South-east Asia area gets smaller and we should get more matey. ’ Praising the contribution New Zealand had played in the fight against Communist terrorists, the Tunku said New Zealand could well be proud of the success achieved. Its soldiers and airmen had done a great job. He wanted to express the thanks of his country for their contributions. He was looking forward to seeing the country and the Maori people, whom he understood shared a common ancestry with Malays.

In the Tunku’s party are his wife, Puan Sharifah Rodziah, and his son, Second-Lieutenant Tunku Ahmad Nerang, and the New Zealand High Commissioner in Malaya (Mr C. M. Bennett). The Tunku was met on his arrival by Squadron Leader D. B. Flintoff, honorary A.D.C. to the Governor-General, Lord Cobham, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Anderton), the High Commissioner for Malaya in Australia and New Zealand (Dato Gunn Lay Teik), and the Secretary for Interna] Affairs (Mr J. V. Meech >

Dressed in a light tweed suit, the Tunku stepped from the T.E.A.L. Electra to greet the official party. His wife was wearing a traditional Malayan dress . The Tunku will meet Malayan Colombo Plan students tomorrow morning and will later have morning tea with the DeputyMayor of Auckland (Mr F. N. Ambler). After a sight-seeing trip around the city, the party will leave for Hamilton by road. They will pay a quick visit to the Waitomo Caves tomorrow night and will meet King Koroki at Turangawaewae on Friday, en route to Wellington.