LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
From: Lee Han Yang, Sir David Watherston, F. J. Underhill, R. W. Hey, N. 1. Attallah, Sir Knox Cunningham, MP, J. Hakro Ferguson, John Lang,
The Hitler Complex
SIR,—Your leading article of the January 8 issue contains certain generalisations that can only serve to obscure the real issues of the present Malaysia- Indonesia conflict. May we have the courtesy of your columns to state some facts which we feel would help towards an objective appraisal of the situation?
What is central to any appreciation of the Malay- sian situation is that it has the popular backing of the peoples of Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah ex- pressed by a democratic process. A United Nations Commission appointed by U Thant investigated this fact in the Borneo territories and upheld this con- clusion without any qualifications. It is worth while pointing out that no political party in Malaysia ever opposed the concept of Federation, although there was some controversy around the form the Federation was to take.
Your prdposal therefore that it would still not
be impossible for Malaysia to hold a referendum in Sarawak and Sabah (just to meet alleged Indo- nesian objections) is not only redundant but puts to question the popular backing of the peoples of these territories. You suggest that the Tunku has not been accommodating enough in his attitude towards President Sukarno. This is surely incorrect. Any student of South-East Asian affairs will have observed that the Tunku has tried to accommodate President Sukarno almost to the point of humilia- tion. Even today he is still keeping the doors wide open for further talks.
In the face of blatant and persistent acts of aggression by the government of Indonesia the Tunku has been forced to show resistance. It is sad that you should now with total disregard for all the circumstances go so far as to describe the Tunku's actions as challenging and provocative.
We are, of course, in complete agreement with you
that peace must be established. Part of the failure in achieving this so far must be attributed to the Indonesian belief that by perpetrating military aggression, Malaysia will disintegrate. So long as this belief survives any move towards peace would not elicit the desired response. For this reason British military commitment in this area must bear with it a sense of assurance and permanence to a point where the government of Indonesia realises that, confrontation is an extremely foolish and un- profitable exercise.
Malaysia Solidarity Committee London Union of Malaysian Students Flat 58, Craven Road, W2
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