Minister Questioned On Borneo Precautions

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30043, 30 January 1963, Page 11

Minister Questioned On Borneo Precautions

(N.ZJ*A.-R«utee— Copyright) LONDON, January 29. Britain’s Minister of Defence (Mr Thorneycroft) said yesterday no British troop movements had been made because of the reported new threat to Borneo. Mr Thorneycroft was asked in the House of Commons by a Labour member if he would make a statement on die reinforcement of Singapore and Brunei by the 51st Infantry Brigade and if “he is satisfied that the strength and equipment are of such a character as to enable it to undertake operations.”

Mr Thorneycroft said the troops in a brigade in the British strategic reserve were at 72 hours’ readiness. “They would replace our troops in Singapore should it be necessary to send further forces to Brunei.”

"None of these movements has taken place here or in the Far East I am satisfied that all the troops are capable of carrying out the various tasks," he said. Mr Thorneycroft said there had been some reports in the last few days about the possibility of outside interference in the affairs of Borneo. After consultation it was thought necessary to take precaut’ons.

Replying to other questions by Labour members, Mr Thomeycroft said: “Nothing has happened, but it is sometimes prudent in defence matters to make some dispositions ahead of something happening.” Mr Emmanuel Shin well a former Labour War and Defence Minister, wanted to know what had happened to justify the sending of additional forces to Singapore. Was it, he asked, linked up with rumours in the press that 10,000 Russian-trained Indonesians were ready to occupy Brunei? Mr Thorneycroft: The situation is under control The purpose of these dispositions is to keep it under control. “The Times" today regarded the “threat of intervention by Indonesian volunteers” as the reason for the

move of more British troops from Singapore to Borneo and the alert of a brigade from the strategic reserve.

While believing that British reaction to the prospect of a Borneo overrun by guerrillas might be justified, "The Times" also said British force could not be used to create the new Malaysian Federation.

"A visit to Djakarta by the Philippine Chief of Staff earlier this month was said to have resulted to some unspecified agreement, which must mean some connivance between these two countries, even if each defines its opposition to Malaysia to almost directly contradictory political terms,*’ the newspaper said.

“If this kind of agitation had gradually spread the prospect could well have been a Borneo overrun by guerrillas. British reaction to this alarming possibility may thus be justified. If the present warning is successful all may yet be welt "The rebels have no substantial following in either North Borneo or Sarawak, nor can the Philippines, whatever their legal case, point to the masses of North Borneo crying for liberation. “The only legitimate claim in democratic political terms is that made by the rebel Brunei Malays for a just share In runing their territory. Al] the rest is so much nationalist opportunism.

OppeeMan to Plan "The Malaysia plan has undoubtedly stimulated political agitation—not least among the Opposition in Malaya itself and in Singapore. It will not any longer be possible to suppress this. "Britain’s role politically must therefore be to keep tempers down and to avoid at all cost a commitment to another jungle war in Southeast Asia.

"Now, just ro much as before, poUticni responsibility for Mole yuis rests with the

participants. lit is primarily Tunku Abdul Rahman’s respooato<Mty to smooth its pneeags with hta Philippine arjd Indonesian neighbours. British force can certataly not be used to create the new federation,’* “The Times” said.

The "Guardian” commented: "Wbst may hove happened is that the Tunku (Abdul Rehman), wishing to put the fear of the British OommonweaMh into President Soekamo, ashed the British Government for the troops. Now that be has been sabtefied, we may hope that the apparent crisis will subside again.” The "Daily Express” after deocribtog Indonesia as the Cuba of South-east Asia, said: "America, above all others, should appreciate the importance of Britton's task. "The United States Should join with those to Britain who urge ’Bring the British troops out of Germany to defend the OommonweaMh and to buttress the AngloAmerican aUance*.” The “Daily Worker” said: “This new act of »egression should be baited. The Government should not send the troops. The people of Brunei should themselves decide how they want to ran their country.” Tunku Abdul Rahman said yesterday that 2000 British troops were being sent to the Far East "in view of the mounting tension In Brunei and Sarawak. It has some connexion with the strained Indonesian-Malayan relationship,” the Tunku told a press conference.

The Tunku, commenting on the Indonesian announcement that Indonesian aircraft wen patrolling the air space over Indonesia’s borders with the Malaysia area, said: "It is better for Indonesia to spend more money la buying food and clothing for her people rather than buying petrol for the aircraft, which are useless