New Hunt In Malaya

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30602, 19 November 1964, Page 17

New Hunt In Malaya

t.V.Z.P.A.-Beutcr—Copyright >

KUALA LUMPUR, November 18

Troops and battle-armed Malaysia field police have stepped up their hunt for suspected Indonesian commandos in the Kota Tinggi area of extreme south-eastern Malaya. Reports from the district say patrols have found some cans of fuel oil, and a live round of ammunition similar to that used by the Indonesian forces.

Government spokesmen said they know nothing of other Kota Tinggi reports that one oi’ more captures had already taken place, and that about 15 infiltrators were believed to be still at large.

The hunt is now being concentrated in the Jason Bay holiday resort district, on the east coast 26 miles to the north-east of Riverine Kota Tinggi. Helicopters Used

British Royal Air Force Belvedere helicopters are being used to ferry troops into jungle areas accessible otherwise only by boat up narrow winding streams. Troops who entered the jungle in a four-hour boat journey are now being relieved by others taken by helicopter in less than 30 minutes.

Patrolling is being conducted along a 60-mile front of beach and coastal bush.

Two villages have reported seeing a band of 10 armed and uniformed Indonesians in the Kota Tinggi area. They told police tlie Indonesians were carrying sub-machine guns and grenades. One said the Infiltrators had demanded food, but he had gone to the police instead. Earlier this week a British minesweeper clashed with grenade and machine-gun-armed Indonesians in a boat off the entrance to Johore Strait that separates Singapore and Malaya Later that night police in Singapore captured seven Indonesians carrying sten guns, grenades and blocks of explosive. In the last three months Indonesia has launched three commando raids against south-west Malaya. Forty-seven have been killed and 187 captured for the loss of five members of the forces killed, and four wounded.