Britain And Malaya Propose Federation

Press, Volume C, Issue 29680, 25 November 1961, Page 14

Britain And Malaya Propose Federation

(WXJ»-A.-Reutee-Copurigh») LONDON, November 24. Britain and Malaya agreed in a joint statement yesterday that a proposal to create a “Federation of Malaysia” in Southeast Asia was a “desirable aim.”

The statement said it was decided that in the event of the formation of the proposed federation the existing defence agreement between Britain and Malaya should be extended to embrace the other territories concerned. The Federation would embrace Malaya, Singapore. North Borneo, Sarawak and Brunei. The statement, signed bi the British and Malayan Prime Ministers (Mr Macmillan and Tunku Abdul Rahman), was issued at the end of a three-day conference in London between British and Malayan Ministers. It contains two annexes. One deals with the terms of reference of a commission of inquiry for North Borneo and Sarawak, and the other concerns defence. Text of Statement The statement said: “1. In a series of meetings in London this week British and Malayan Ministers examined the proposal to create a “Federation of Malaysia” which would embrace the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo, Sarawak and Brunei. “2. In the light of a full study of the problem which has been going on for some months, the British and Malayan Governments are convinced that this is a desirable aim. “3. The Ministers took note with satisfaction of the heads of agreement recently negotiated between the Governments of Malaya and Singapore for the merging of the State of Singapore with the Federation. . “4. Before coming to any final decision it is necessary to ascertain the views of the peoples of North Borneo and Sarawak. It has accordingly been decided to set up a commission to carry out this task and to make recommendations. The commission will be composed of a chairman and four members, two nominated by the British

Government and two by the Malayan Government. “In the light of the commission's report the two governments will decide what further steps should be taken. (The terms of reference of the commission are attached as Annex A.) “5. At the same tame the views of the Sultan of Brunei are being sought. “6. In regard to defence matters it wax decided that, in the event of the formation of the proposed Federation of Malaysia, the existing defence agreement between Britain and Malaya should be extended to embrace the other territories concerned. “It was, however, agreed that the Government of the Federation of Malaysia will afford to the Government of the United Kingdom the right to continue to maintain bases at Singapore for the purpose of assisting in the defence of Malaysia, and for Commonwealth defence and for the preservation of peace in South-east Asia. (The text of toe arrangements agreed is attached as Annex B.) Terms of Reference Annex A gives the Commission of Inquiry these terms of reference: “Having regard to the expressed agreement of the Governments of Bitain and the Federation of Malaya that the inclusion of North Borneo and Sarawak (together with other territories) in the proposed Federation of Malaysia is a desirable aim in the interests of the peoples of the territories concerned—“(a) To ascertain the views of the peoples of North Borneo and Sarawak on this question: and (b) in the light of their assessment of these views, to make recommendations. Defence Annex B, on defence, states: “The Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Federation of

Malaya have agreed, in the event of the creation of the proposed Federation of Malaysia, that the agreement on external defence and mutual assistance of 1957 and its annexes shall be extended to apply to all territories of the Federation of Malaysia, and any references in that agreement to the Federation of Malaya shall be deemed to apply to the Federation of Malaysia, subject to the provision that the Government of the Federation of Malaya will afford to the Government of the United Kingdom the right to continue to maintain the bases and other facilities at present occupied by their service authorities within the State of Singapore, and will permit the United Kingdom to make such use of these bases and facilities as the United Kingdom may consider necessary for the purpose of assisting in the defence of Malaysia, and for Commonwealth defence and for the preservation of peace in South-east Asia.” Malayan and British delegates declined to amplify or comment on the wording of the communique.