Military Concern In Kuala Lumpur

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30828, 13 August 1965, Page 11

Military Concern In Kuala Lumpur

(N.Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright) KUALA LUMPUR, August 12. Military leaders in Kuala Lumpur are anxiously watching developments between Singapore and Indonesia.

Malaysian military spokesmen today welcomed the news that an Indonesian freighter endeavouring to enter Singapore harbour has been turned back. An official spokesman said that anti-aircraft batteries in the Rhio islands off Singapore were continuing practice.

But this month there has been no repetition of June and July incidents when the guns fired “practice” bursts while civil aircraft were in the vicinity. The concern was echoed by the “Straits Times” which said in an editorial today that Singapore would have to put Malaysia’s interest first in any dealings with Indonesia. ‘Malaysia’s interests must figure with special prominence in Singapore’s decisions on her dealings with Indonesia,” the newspaper said. “There will need to be full fidelity to the spirit of the agreement in which Singapore and Malaysia each undertake not to enter into any treaty or agreement with any foreign power which will injure the interests of the other.” Officials in Djakarta said that the Indonesian Government was watching developments in Singapore closely to deter-

imine whether the new State would continue helping 'Malaysia in its “aggressive” I acts against Indonesia. Three Points I They saw Singapore’s breaki off from Malaysia as a result of: 1. The inability of the British Government to afford the maintenance of 50,000 fully equipped troops in the area, particularly in the face of a possible continuous escalation of Indonesia's confrontation. 2. The racial and political differences between Malaysia and Singapore. 3. Fear of an increased Indonesian confrontation campaign starting on August 17—Indonesia’s independence day anniversary, The Indonesian officials said that the British Government had approved the break-up in order not to stretch and perhaps even ease confrontation pressure on Malaysia. This view was supported in Kuala Lumpur’s “Malayan Times” which hinted that

Britain may have had something to do with the break. The English-language daily said: “Though the British disclaim having anything to do with the split, yet it might have been their plan to ease out of the defence treaty, since the British taxpayers are not willing to pay for the defence of their former colonies which have now become independent.” ‘Own Work' However, the Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, said in a report in the “Malay Courier” today that the “separation was the Government’s own plan. Britain did not know about it.” The split was in the interests of the peace, security, and prosperity of the Malaysian people, he said.