Sandys Mediates In Malaysia

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30233, 11 September 1963, Page 15

Sandys Mediates In Malaysia

(NJZJP. A.-Reuter—Copyright) KUALA LUMPUR, September 10. ' Emergency talks have begun in Kuala Lumpur between Britain and its Malaysia Federation partners. With six days to go to proclamation day the federation is under serious strain, the main issues are Singapore’s “de facto declaration of independence” on August 31, and the Malayan Government’s insistence that Sarawak’s first governor under the new constitution should be a Malay.

The quarrels brought the British Colonial Secretary, Mr Duncan Sandys, hurrying back from the Maidive Islands.

He was followed from Singapore by the Finance Minister, Dr. Goh Keng Swee, and the Attorney-General, Mr Ahmad Ibrahim; and from Sarawak by Mr F. D. Jakeway. secretary to Sarawak's Chief Minister.

Mr Sandys was immediately closeted with the three men for talks, and was expected to see the Malayan deputy-Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, later today. The announcement by the Singapore Premier. Mr Lee Kuan Yew, that he was temporarily assuming Britishheld powers over Singapore’s defence and foreign affairs roused furious opposition in Malaya. Privately, Malayan sources say their real fear is that Mr Lee’s Government is planning a number of appointments and dismissals to take place before the Federal Government gets control of Singapore. Both parties are taking a strong stand on their ideas of who should be governor of Sarawak. The Sarawak Government, headed by a dyak. Mr Stephen Kalong Ningkan, wants another dyak. Temmengong Jutah, to be first governor under Malaysia. If Malaya does not accept this, “then we will bulldoze our way through,” Mr Ningkan has said. The Malayan Government is sticking to its demand that the first governor be a Malay. As in the former Straits Settlements of Penang and Malacca, where Malays are also a minority, the Government feels that either the governor or the chief minister should be a Malay.

Malaya’s Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, has said that Temmengong Jutalh would not be acceptable to the King of Malaya, and that the Sarawak Government was defying the London agreement on Malaysia by suggesting him. After warning the Singapore Prime Minister against making “hasty statements” that could endanger MalayaSingapore relations, the

Tunku said the only Malaysian State that had "broadminded” leaders was North Borneo.

The two disputes have highlighted the suspiciqn and distrust still existing among the Malaysian states. Racial and provincial fears and jealousies are strong, and the constitution of the union hedges each state about with privileges and regulations protecting it from an over-ambitious partner. The laws include a ban on free entry into tlie sparselysettled Borneo territories, and a prohibition of any citi-

zen of crowded, predominantly Chinese Singapore voting or standing for Parliament anywhere except in Singapore. Indonesia and the Philippines have indicated that their opposition to Malaysia is likely to continue. Directing and mediating as Malaysia Day approaches is Mr Sandys. Last Thursday he left for the Maldives and for Colombo, where he talked with tlie Ceylon Government on its take-over of foreign petroleum distribution and insurance rights. He is now expected to stay in Kuala Lumpur until after the federation is established

Deaths In Landslide.—Eight persons were reported buried today by a landslide in Baguio City, a summer resort about 125 miles north of Manila.—Manila, September 10.