Soekarno’s Offer On Malaysia

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30144, 30 May 1963, Page 13

Soekarno’s Offer On Malaysia

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, lay 29. President Soekarno, of Indonesia, is willing to drop, his opposition to the proposed Malaysia Federation on certain conditions, according to reports in diplomatic

circles in Tokyo. According to the reports, one condition would be that the new nation would not become a member of the British Commonwealth, British United Press reported from Tokyo.

The conditions were said to have been sent to the Malayan Prime Minister. Tunku Abdul Rahman, when Dr. Soekarno invited him to come to Tokyo to discuss their dispute over Malaysia. Another condition would be a pledge from the Tunku to hold a referendum in the Borneo territories in which they would be given a choice of full independence or association with Malaysia. Under Dr. Soekarno's proposal, the referendum would not necessarly upset the Tunku's timetable for forming Malaysia. Dr. Soekarno is said to seek assurances that a free and fair referendum would be held within a reasonable time after the new nation comes into being on August 31, British United Press reported.

The reports said that these conditions would be discussed at a conference on Friday in Tokyo between Dr. Soekarno and the Tunku Reports from other sources close to the Malayan Government said the Tunku might accept the proposal for a referendum but would not be willing to keep Malaysia out of the Commonwealth.

The other four proposed members of the Federation —Singapore. Brunei, North Borneo and Sarawak —are self-governing British dependencies.