U.K. “Must Agree” To Merger Plan

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29734, 30 January 1962, Page 15

U.K. “Must Agree” To Merger Plan

(N Z.P A -Reuter—Copyright)

SINGAPORE. January '9 Singapore’s Prime Minister (Mr Lee Kuan Yew) said today that Britain had no choice but to agree to the proposed federation of Malaysia or face a situation tik- that in West New Guinea. The Prime Minister said this tn a message marking the opening of the “Malaysia we-k” today Mr Lee said the British however, unlike the Dutch w=re more long-sffh'ed in the:- « P W-in’e-»«t They knew It was be’ter in ’heir 10-y-term economic military a-fl political interests to w hdraw gracefully from an i>"* enable position sueh as the Dutch found themselves in West I-tan today. He said: “It is our lot to

have a colonial master who is more pragmatic about self-interest in trade, investment and bases So we have the opportunity of peacefully discussing and planning the shape of our future Malaysia “The British have to agree because they have no choice The alternative is to get themselves into a position analagous to West Irian* Mr Lee said that Singapore was part of Penang and Malacca in the old S-raits Settlements and Labuan in Vnrih Rnme l ' was part of Si-fipore “The argument could go until militarv bases and economic interests have gone and friendly ties were replaced by implacable hate as in the case of the Indonesians and the Dutch.” he said.