Malaysian-Thai Move To Crush Terrorists

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30561, 2 October 1964, Page 13

Malaysian-Thai Move To Crush Terrorists

(N.Z.P.A.-Reut«r— Copyright)

KUALA LUMPUR, October 1.

The Malaysian Deputy-Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, today confirmed reports that joint operations along the Thai-Malaysia border would be revived soon to wipe out the hard-core remnants of the outlawed Malayan Communist Party. He declined to give details before leaving for Bangkok as leader of Malaysia’s delegation to talks with Thailand on border security.

The Communists fled to the jungles of the Malaysia-Thailand border when the attempted Communist rebellion in Malaya was crushed in 1960. Since then both countries independently have been guarding their own sides of the border.

Troops patrolling Malaysia’s side include the Australian and New Zealand Battalions serving in the 28th Commonwealth Brigade in Malaya.

Asked if the landings of Indonesian paratroopers at Labis had necessitated the move. Tun Razak replied: “Not necessarily . . . but in the interests of security we have to take all precautions . . .” Tun Razak saifl that he was satisfied about the arrangements made to guard Malaysian coasts. Tun Razak said all unidentified aircraft in the air defence identification zone which has been declared over Malaysia would be shot down. He said there was “very

close “co-operation with Thailand to prevent Indonesian infiltration in the Thai border area. He said it was unlikely that the Indonesian paratroopers had been able to link up with the Comtaunist terrorists. Mortar Fire (N.Z.P.A.-Rcuterr—Copyright) KUCHING (Sarawak), October 1. The Tebedu area of Sarawak was mortared last night by Indonesian guerrillas, a Security Forces spokesman said in Kuching today. The guerrillas fired light mortars at long range, dropping a number of rounds well clear of a village. Security Forces immediately started a counter bombardment and silenced the guerrillas after five minutes. There were no known casualties on either side.