: Are you in complete
agreement on the unconditional recognition of
Singapore?
: Yes, I am.
Our recognition of Singapore will be
unconditional because we have observed and
appreciated Singapore's will to be fully
independent.
: What are your views on
the British bases in Singapore? Have you read Mr.
Lee Kuan Yew's statements in the past week in
London? Would you agree with Mr. Lee's views and
the time limit suggested (about 10 years) for the
bases to be withdrawn?
: I think the
British intend to keep their bases in Singapore
and I consider this a threat to Indonesia. But I
am also convinced that Singapore, as a good
neighbour will be in a position to remove all
obstacles which may lead to a misunderstanding.
We regard Mr. Lee's statement of 10 years for the
continuation of the base in Singapore, as
important, because Singapore and Indonesia will
have to decide the future hand-in-hand. I respect
Mr. Lee's views and ideas and I do not believe he
will permit anything to happen that will harm our
good neighbour policy. Mr. Lee knows that
Indonesia has no territorial ambitions. Our only
worry is to see that the bases in Singapore will
not be used to threaten Indonesia's position.
: Mr. Lee has assured
Tengku Abdul Rahman that Singapore would never do
anything to jeopardise the security of Malaysia.
His Deputy Premier, Dr. Toh Chin Chye, has also
given the same assurance in the Singapore
parliament. What is your comment on these
assurances of the Singapore leaders to the
Malaysian government?
: The leaders
of Singapore have the right to express their
views to other countries. It is their prerogative
and I do not wish to comment.
: In Jakarta, about two
weeks ago, when you installed Gen. Umar
Wirahadittusumah, you said that Indonesia could
accept Malaysia provided the people of Borneo
really wanted it. Could you please clarify this?
Do you specifically mean there must be a
referendum?
: The
question of a referendum or the type of
referendum must conform to the wishes of the
people of Sabah and Sarawak. It can be agreed
upon the principle of "mushawara"
(friendly consultations) so long as it reflects
the wishes of the people in a democratic way.
: If there is a genuine
desire to reach a peaceful settlement with
Malaysia, is it not possible to stop the shooting
war for the duration of the peace talks?
: There
should be no pre-conditions to peace talks. There
is no shooting war. There has been no declaration
of war. Our forces are merely there in response
to the call of the people for help. All the
shooting that had occurred there had stemmed from
the British troops violating certain areas. If,
as you say, there has been little or no shooting
in the past week, then it is possible that the
British troops have not been indulging in
violations of late.
: Do you think the chances
of a peaceful settlement with Malaysia today are
better than before the Sept 30 coup?
: It (a
peaceful solution) will depend on both sides, but
I hope the sooner the better.
: The PKI recently
attempted to take over Indonesia. The Malayan
Communist Party fought for 12 years to capture
Malaya. Indonesia and Malaysia are almost in the
same boat. Do you think Indonesia and Malaysia
should co-operate to thwart any future Communist
designs?
: The
Communist problem is the primary concern of every
Government in this region, but each country has
to tacke it in its own way.
: How would Indonesia view
a Communist Singapore or Malaysia?
: I don't
care who controls Singapore or Malaysia so long
as they do not pose a threat to Indonesia. But,
if a threat should exist, then we should not
tolerate such situation.
: Tengku Abdul Rahman and
Tun Razak both expressed doubts as to whether the
new administration in Jakarta is firmly in
control of Indonesia. They are afraid that any
agreement reached in peace talks might be vetoed.
Would you care to comment on this?
: We should
not depend on the views of Tengku Abdul Rahman
and Tun Razak on this point to reach a
settlement. They are not supposed to know our
problems. We know our problems best.
: Is a referendum in Sabah
and Sarawak, the only demand that Indonesia will
make for a peaceful settlement with Malaysia?
: I have told
you we have no territorial ambitions in the
territories whatsoever. We will not indulge in
any activities in contradiction to the philosophy
of pantjasila. Our main concern is to give help
to the people in their struggle for their rights
for democratic self-determination in keeping with
the stipulations contained in the Manila
agreement. Therefore, Indonesia's confrontation
cannot be taken to mean territorial ambition of
an intention to be hostile to the peoples of
Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak.
Previous
Copyright © 1998 Singapore Press
Holdings. All Rights Reserved.
