Sukarno “Political Bankrupt”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30569, 12 October 1964, Page 1

Sukarno “Political Bankrupt”

President Sukarno of Indonesia was yesterday described as being politically bankrupt by four members of the Malaysian Parliament who are touring New Zealand. Interviewed in Christchurch, they said President Sukarno considered Malaysia’s working democracy as a threat to “guided” democracy or dictatorship. Representing the Sabah Legisaltive Council are the Hon. Richard E. Yap and the Hon. Abdul Momen bin Haji Kalakhan. The Hon. Kadam anak Kiai and the Hon. Sim Boon Liang are members of the Sarawak Legislative Council Negri. The four

ministers are accompanied by the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Health, Mr Sia Kah Hui, and Mr Sim Boon Woo of the Singapore Legislative Assembly. Two Australian members of Parliament are also in the party. They are Mr Harry Chan and Mr R. A. Armstrong. Mr Sim said President Sukarno was aware of the fact that his people were rebelling against him and he was trying to boost their morale with bis confrontation policy. President Sukarno’s action had affected to some degree the internal workings of Malaysia. In Singapore, for instance, a plan to give all children four years of free secondary education by 1965

had to be postponed, they said. The children at present receive free education for six years until they are 12. Members of the party agreed that there were great possibilities for the expansion of trade agreements between Malaysia and New Zealand. New Zealand’s delicious apples were extremely popular in Singapore where they were known as the “fivelegged” apple, they said, explaining how the apples would stand upright on their characteristic base. A dinner party was last evening held in honour of the party. The Mayor (Mr G. Manning) and a number of local members of Parliament were present