From Terendak To Singapore

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31880, 7 January 1969, Page 10

From Terendak To Singapore

The New Zealand Government has accepted rather reluctantly the abandoning of Terendak Camp, This large British military base would have had to be maintained jointly by New Zealand and Australia had they resolved to keep troops there after the British withdrawal from Malaysia. The continued use of this well-appointed base would have certain advantages; but the high cost of maintaining it virtually puts this out of the question. As Britain plans to move its troops from Malaysia to Singapore before the last forces leave South-East Asia by the end of 1971, New Zealand and Australian troops will continue to benefit from British logistic support as long as possible.

Strategically, the move will mean little. Insofar as Australia and New Zealand are interested in the security and stability of the western Pacific, it matters little whether their troops are based in Malaysia or in Singapore. Politically, the decision appears to have been accepted happily enough by Malaysia. Economically, the presence of an Anzac battalion—the probable nature of the Australian and New Zealand force in Singapore—will not mean much; nevertheless, the Singapore Government will welcome the troops to its territory. If China should choose to renew its subversion of the governments in the area, Singapore would be as likely a choice as any. Beyond Malaysia’s border with Thailand, terrorist remnants are still encouraged by China to persist in an “ armed “struggle" against the “British and United States “imperialists”. On the Malaysian side, however, there is now little or no action. An ambush last June, in which 16 Malaysian policemen were killed and 17 Malaysians were wounded by Communist terrorists, was the first incident for several years Australia’s decision, supported by a similar decision in New Zealand, to keep troops in the MalaysiaSingapore area until 1971 is probably sufficient in the meantime as an earnest of Anzac intentions towards the region. Decisions beyond this will depend on events in Vietnam and its neighbouring States, and particularly, on the course of United States policy on of South-East Asia and the A.N.Z.U.S.