‘Throw Communists Into Swamps’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30930, 10 December 1965, Page 17

‘Throw Communists Into Swamps’

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright)

DJAKARTA, Dec. 9.

An Indonesian general issued orders to the local people in his area permitting them to throw trouble-making Communists into the swamps to drown, the official Antara news agency reported today.

The general is Brig-adier-General Amir Machmud, the new military commander of the Djakarta area who was military commander in South Borneo when the unsuccessful Communist’s coup attempt broke out on October 1. Antara quoted BrigadierGeneral Machmud as telling a meeting with civilian leaders yesterday that by October 4, more than 600 Communists in South Borneo had been arrested. He said he told the South Borneo people to detain any trouble-making Communists

and then hand them over to the nearest armed forces post "Or else just throw them into the swamps to drown;” be Mid, according to Antara. The agency said the General’s remarks received “thunderous applause” from yesterday’s audience.

In Djakarta today it was reported that a number of Com-

munists have been killed in a clash with Army troops in Sidaredja, Central Java. The armed forces newspaper said the clash took place when the troops were in mopping-up operations in the area. The number of Communists killed and the date of the clash was not reported.