Soekarno Attacks Malaysia Plan

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30057, 15 February 1963, Page 9

Soekarno Attacks Malaysia Plan

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 14. President Soekarno of Indonesia last night called the proposed Malaysian Federation a plot to perpetuate colonialism and indicated he would do all he could to wreck it, the British United Press reported from Djakarta.

Speaking at a political meeting in Djakarta, he said the Malayan Prime Minister (Tunku Abdul Rahman) was a “neo-colonialist.”

Dr. Soekarno proclaimed his support for rebel forces in the British Borneo Territories, which are destined to become part of the Malaysian Federation late next summer.

“We sympathise with North Kalimantan (North Borneo),” he said. “We don’t hide this. It is a matter of principle.” Refering to the Malaysian Federation, he said: “I expect the people to have courage to face opposition. I have warned the armed forces we are still facing opposition and challenge.

“Because we are on the right path, against imperialism and colonialism, because we are standing on a universal principle involving the whole world, we are besieged from within and without. “Why are we antiMalaysia, which is supported and propagated by Tunku Abdul Rahman?” he asked. “It is the realisation of neo-colonialism. We don’t want neo-colonialism round us, which means besieging Indonesia. Malaysia is neocolonialism.

"Malaysia is to save tin for the imperialists, rubber for the imperialists, oil for the imperialists. We are antiMalaysia,” he said. Dr. Soekarno said he had no desire to be a dictator. His guided democracy, he said, was not based on dictatorship. facism or autocracy.

He said 80 per cent, of the Budget previously went to the armed forces, but this had now been reduced.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister (Dr. Subandrio) yesterday called the British Ambassador (Sir Leslie Fry) to his home to notify him formally of Indonesia’s newly declared policy of opposition to the Malaysia plan and his view about the “hostility” of the Tunku.

Sir Leslie Fry said he visited Dr. Subandrio at the Minister’s request, and was told much the same as foreign correspondents had been told earlier this week.

Sir Leslie Fry was' believed to have emphasised the British Government’s intention to continue with plans for Malaysia, and to exercise its territorial responsibilities in the area.

U.S. Troops To Stay

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) WASHINGTON, February 14. The United States Defence Department said last night about 15,000 of the more than 40,000 Army troops sent to Europe during the Berlin crisis have been returned and that there are no plans for bringing back any more.

A statement was issued after press reports that the 40,000 would be brought back soon,