Uneasy Times In Malaysia

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30533, 31 August 1964, Page 11

Uneasy Times In Malaysia

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) KUALA LUMPUR, August 30. Tension grew in Kuala Lumpur over the week-end with the approach of August 31, the first anniversary of the founding of Malaysia, the 10-million strong union of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah (the former British North Borneo).

Forty Indonesian guerrillas who landed in the Pontain swamps of southwest Malaya on August 17 are still at large, and rumours have circulated of further attempts at infiltration of the peninsula, or of violence in the federal capital on Monday.

Nearly 300 Malaysians, Indonesians, Britons and Gurkhas are believed to have died in 20 months of fighting in Borneo. Clashes around Pontian, 50 miles from Singapore, have resulted in 14 Indonesians and Malaysian dissidents being killed, and more than 50 taken and charged in court with charges carrying the death penalty or life imprisonment. Two Malaysian soldiers were killed and four wounded in operations at Pontian. Throughout the peninsula vital installations are under armed guard, vigilante corps are being formed, and police in Kuala Lumpur are carrying carbines as they walk their beat. Since early 1963 there have been 10 attempts to bring peace in the Malaysia issue, and six countries have attempted to mediate. Would-be peace-makers

have included the American Attorney-General, Mr Robert Kennedy, and Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia. The results so far have been small, and Malaysian officials are convinced that Indonesia will settle for nothing short of a pledge of withdrawal of British troops from Malaysia as a price of acceptance of the union.

During the dispute Britain has increased its Malaysian forces, and her troops have fought against Indonesians in Borneo.

Australia and New Zealand have pledged support for Malayasia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Progress has been made towards agreement with the Philippines, which has acted partly as a mediator, and partly as an Indonesian ally. The Philippines has a claim on Sabah, and it has been agreed that Malyasia should hear its case with a view to a formal settlement. Economic Stresses

The first year of Malaysia has also been one of internal strains on the constituent states.

An economic boycott imposed by Indonesia has dented the economy, particularly that of Singapore, and there ' have been racial tensions, resulting in bloody riots in Singapore. Malaysia has Chinese and Malays as the principle racial groups, the Chinese having a slight edge on the Malayas in numbers.

Twentyjthree persons died slight edge on the Malays in Singapore last month.