HC Deb 03 August 1966 vol 733 cc105-6W
63. Mr. A. Royle

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the number and scale of incidents, caused by Indonesian incursions, since the Bangkok agreement to end confrontation was signed.

74. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the military situation in Sarawak.

Mr. Healey

No final agreement was concluded at Bangkok to end confrontation. There was a communiqué on 1st June notifying agreement to submit, for approval by Governments, principles upon which practical steps to restore friendly relations between Malaysia and Indonesia should be based. Since then there have been five incidents, all resulting from one Indonesian incursion across the frontier of Eastern Malaysia. All the incidents took place in June and were on a small scale.

I have received a preliminary report of an exchange of fire which took place this morning in North Sarawak about ten miles inside the frontier. The men concerned are being pursued, but their identity had not been established when the report was made. I cannot, therefore yet say whether this incident resulted from an Indonesian incursion.