Pleas To Tunku Unsuccessful

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30830, 16 August 1965, Page 14

Pleas To Tunku Unsuccessful

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

KUALA LUMPUR, August 15.

Britain and Australia both made desperate last-minute pleas against last week’s split between Malaysia and Singapore, the Kuala Lumpur “Sunday Times” said today.

The newspaper said that throughout August 8, when the news was still an iron-clad secret, the British High Commissioner, Viscount Head, had made unsuccessful efforts to see the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

“That evening he learnt that the Tunku and Tun Razak (the deputy Prime Minister) would be attending a party in town. He ‘gate-crashed’ and had a few words with Tun Razak,” the newspaper said. The following day, with the announcement of the split just over an hour away. Lord Head drove to the Prime Minister’s residence and pleaded with the Tunku to postpone his decision “at least by one day.”

The newspaper said that the High Commissioner handed the Tunku a message from the British Prime Minister. Mr Wilson, expressing “grave disappointment” over the matter.

The Tunku replied that everything had been set and “nothing can change our decision.” The Australian High Commissioner, Mr Critchley, also called on the Tunku. He, too, made a similar unsuccessful plea, the newspaper said. DECISION MADE The Tunku is reported to have decided on the break

with Singapore 1 while in a London hospital in June. He considered the matter for four days and drew up a “balance sheet” running to several foolscap pages. On June 29 he reached the “painful decision” that “for the well-being and security of Malaysia and Singapore, it was best that the two territories should part.” At the same time, in Kuala Lumpur, the newspaper said. Tun Razak and the Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Lee, had reached a stalemate in frank and straightforward discussions on the differences (racial, political and economic) dividing the Singapore and Federal Governments.

They decided to await the Tunku’s return.

The “Sunday Times” said that on July 1 the Tunku wrote to Tun Razak of his feelings and suggested that the matter be discussed in Cabinet. DISCUSSIONS

There followed three weeks of discussion between Tun Razak and senior Federal Cabinet ministers, and with Singapore leaders. On July 22, while convalescing in the south of France, the Tunku received a letter from Tun Razak stating that Cabinet members were in full agreement that Singapore should separate. The mechanical processes leading to a formal break were then set in motion, but hopes were still held for a rapproachment. The Tunku arrived home on August 5. Two days later Mr Lee and the Tunku had a 30minute private meeting at the latter’s residence.

An agreement to split was taken to Singapore by Mr Lee. and returned signed by the full Singapore Cabinet on August 8. The same day chief ministers of State were told of the position, and on the following day—half an hour before the proclamation of the break in the Federal Parliament—Governmrnr members of Parliament were informed.