COMMUNISTS IN SARAWAK

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31225, 24 November 1966, Page 17

COMMUNISTS IN SARAWAK

Tunku Expects Armed Revolt

(N.Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

KUALA LUMPUR, November 23.

Communists in Sarawak are on the verge of armed revolt against the Gov* eminent, and recently fired on a security patrol hunting them down, the Malaysian Premier, Tunku Abdul Rahman, said today.

He said after a Cabinet meeting that big dumps of arms and food had been found, some of them in Viet Cong - style underground tunnels. One of these was 120 feet long.

“We will be sending more troops to Borneo but I cannot reveal any more about such movements,” the Tunku said. The Prime Minister linked what he claimed was a faster drive towards open revolt with recent political troubles in the Borneo state. The Federal Government backed the overthrow earlier this year of the then State Chief Minister, Dato Stephen Galong Ningkan. Dato Ningkan, who had been involved in a series of quarrels with the central Government has withdrawn his party from the Government. He plans to fight his way back to power through election next year, he has said. The Tunku said that the breakaway of Dato Ningkan's Sarawark National Party from the Alliance coalition had been seen by the Communists as an opportunity for exploitation.

“They also feel they can make use of a coalition be-

tween the Sarawak National Party and the Sarawak United People's Party," the Tunku said. UNION OPPOSED The United People's Party is a Left-wing Opposition group originally opposed to union in Malaysia. The Tunku said the Cabinet was briefed today by Tan Sri Salleh Ismael, inspector general of police. "According to his report the Communists in Sarawak have stepped up their drive towards an armed struggle. “It is estimated that about 800 armed members and supporters of the Sarawak Communist organisation are on the southern borders of the State." ‘NOT RETURNING’ The police claim these went to Indonesia for training during the “confrontation" launched by the Sukarno Government “These men have resolved not to return, but are establishing bases in the border area,” the Tunku said. Communist bases had also been established well inside the State, he said. “They are trying to create a revolutionary climate." According to captured documents the Communists had already established an armed workers’ group 30-strong on the road between the State capital, Kuching, and Serian, about 27 miles to the east.