KONFRONTASI (1963:1966)

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF KONFRONTASI IN RELATION

TO THE ANGLO MALAYAN DEFENCE AGREEMENT (AMDA)

Introduction

Since independence, Malaysia faces several forms of security threats that coming from
internal and external factor. Malaysia has gone through a challenging evolution to ensure the
security and sovereignty of the country such as colonialism, communism, konfrontasi, territorial
separation, racial conflict, extremism (race, ideology, religion and politics), crisis economic,
natural disasters and other. Security refers to the purpose and the way in which a state defends
itself from the threat and its ability to maintain the core value of the country. 1 To ensure the
security and sovereignty of the country, many countries increasing financial allocation for
military capability and establishing cooperation at regional and international levels. The regional
cooperation among the country also play an important roles in ensure the safety in the region.

One of the important history to Malaysia which still gives the impact until now is
konfrontasi between Malaysia and Indonesia that happen in the year 1963 to 1966. According to
Kamus Dewan Bahasa, konfrontasi means the controversy or adversity between two persons or
opposing parties or disagreements to obtain the same interest. Conflict or konfrontasi is an
offensive, disagreeing or incompatibility situation between two or more persons or groups of
people. Konfrontasi or conflict can cause war between society and the state.

Konfrontasi between Malaysia and Indonesia was an important period in the history of
Malaysia. The Malaysia-Indonesia confrontation not only involves propaganda to thwart the
formation of Malaysia, but even more serious with the disconnection of bilateral ties between
two countries that have been created over the years. The Indonesia - Malaysia konfrontasi was
launched as a result of Indonesian dissatisfaction towards the idea formation of Malaysia by
Tunku Abdul Rahman. Indonesian President at that time was Sukarno, has taken drastic steps by

1
Ruhanas Harun, ‘The Evolution and Development of Malaysia’s National Security’ p 17.

1
launching konfrontasi and introduced ‘Ganyang Malaysia’ (Crush Malaysia) towards Malaysia.
Indonesia also has launched a series of incursion in some parts of Malaysia. 2

Malaysia security at that time was under the protection of the British. After
independence, Malaysia has signed the Anglo Malayan Defense Agreement (AMDA) wherein
this agreement stated that British will provide a security umbrella for the newly
independent Malaya. With the protection from British and also committed from Australia and
New Zealand in defence Malaya, and using the diplomacy as the way to settle the konfrontasi,
this issues is ended in 1966 when two sides signed a peace treaty in Bangkok in August 1966. 3
Therefore this paper will discuss the significant of konfrontasi in relation to the AMDA.

Anglo Malayan Defence Agreement (AMDA)

After Malayan gained independence from British, the British and Malayan
Governments signed the AMDA on 12 October 1957. AMDA is a bilateral defence agreement
between the British and the Federation of Malaya, which also committed Australia and New
Zealand to assist British in defence of Malaya. The objective of AMDA is to provide a security
umbrella for the newly independent Malaya. From this agreement, British will always protect the
security of Malaya. For that Malaya are agree to allow British to use a land, naval bases and air
bases at Malaya. British also can use certain land and sea for training. 4 British warships also are
allowed to be at Malaya. Other priorities given to British is the right to carry explosions and
ammunition through the port. Soldiers were given the opportunity to move around the country. 5
AMDA has no fixed term and it can be terminated at any time by both parties.

The agreement was tested in 1963 to 1964 in the konfrontasi between Malaysia and
Indonesia. At that moment Malaysian military were still inadequate compared to the strength of
2
J. A. C. Mackie, 1974. Konfrontasi: The Indonesian- Malaysia Dispute 1963-1966. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford
University Press, p 210.
3
J. A. C. Mackie, 1974. Konfrontasi: The Indonesian- Malaysia Dispute 1963-1966. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford
University Press, p 39.
4
Ibid p 210.
5
Ibid.

2
the Indonesian military.6 Indonesia launched its first invasion at Tebedu Sarawak on 12 April
1963. Indonesian guerrillas began to attack Tebedu Police Station, which is located about 5
kilometers from the Indonesian border. However the attack was successfully defeated by Royal
Malay Regiment and Gurkha Soldier. Indonesia keep continuing launched a series of invasion in
Sarawak, Sabah and Johor. Although the Malaysian security forces with the help from British
have defeated the intrusion, Malaysia cannot denial that Indonesia will launch another invasion.
Since the first invasion in Sarawak, Indonesian troops has invaded 116 times in the state of
Sarawak and 61 times in Sabah.7 In 13 November 1963 until May 24, 1964, there were 33
Indonesian airspace invasions against Malaysia. Malaysian then requested British for air defense
due to the less of capability in air defense. 8

AMDA has provides the maximum safety guarantee to Malaysian. In January 1965,
Britain excluding New Zealand and Australian had 10,000 troops in Sarawak and Sabah in order
to guarding the Malaysian border from incursion by Indonesian. Britain also provide one Brigade
Headquarters with five Battalion Infantry and supporting with aircraft, helicopter and ship in
Sarawak and Sabah. Located at Malaysia and Singapore, there are two more Brigade of Gurkha
Division to ensure Malaysia safety.9 The Australian and New Zealand government also had given
the permission for British troops to use their aircraft carrier to carry out operations in Malaysia
and Brunei.10 The President of Australian and New Zealand also offer the military assistance to
training Malaysian military personnel.11 It is really show that Malaysia relies with Britain, New
Zealand and Australian military and equipment to protect Malaysia security from Indonesia
because Malaysia military still under development.

Tunku Abdul Rahman had made a series of negotiations with Indonesia to find the
peaceful way to stop the konfrontasi between two countries but it has not been successful. The

6
J. A. C. Mackie, 1974. Konfrontasi: The Indonesian- Malaysia Dispute 1963-1966. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford
University Press, p 211.
7
Indonesian Involvement in Eastern Malaysia, 1964.Kuala Lumpur : Jabatan Chetak Kerajaan, p 47.
8
Ibid p 76.
9
History of Counterinsurgency, Gregory Fermont,- Barners, 2015 p 106.
10
Mohd bin Samsudin, 1995, Kajian Dasar Luar Malaysia Penglibatan Pertahaanan dan Keselamatan Negara –
Negara Komanwel di Malaysia (1957-1971), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia: Fakulti Sains Kemasyarakatan dan
Kemanusiaan, p 26.
11
Ibid p 28.

3
change of Indonesian President from Sukarno to Suharto has led the way to the conclusion of the
Malaysia - Indonesian konfrontasi when both countries signed a peace agreement in 1966.
Suharto has review back Indonesian foreign policies and took the effort to end the konfrontasi
with Malaysia. The peace process between Indonesia and Malaysia is through several levels of
negotiations.

The peace process had been held on 29 May 1966 in Bangkok reached an agreement to
end the konfrontasi with three condition, first Indonesian and Malaysia agreed to end the
konfrontasi between Malaysia and Indonesia. Second, both countries agree to revive the
diplomatic relations after signing the agreement and third Malaysia will look into the views of
Sabah and Sarawak people whether they want to joint Malaysia or not. The elections to get the
decision from Sabah and Sarawak people was held in 1967 and the result is majority people of
Sabah and Sarawak want to join the formation of Malaysia. The relations between the two
countries has given many lessons to both countries in terms of politics, economy, military and
social relations.

After the end of Malaysia Indonesia konfrontasi, AMDA was subsequently replaced by
the Five Power Defense Agreement (FPDA). FPDA is a defence relations through multilateral
agreements between United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore which
agreed all of the five countries will help each other if there is an offensive against Peninsular
Malaysia or Singapore.

Analysis

Continuity cooperation between Malaysia and British. After independent, Malaya

still relied on British for defence and security. British did not immediately leaving Malaya and
continue to provide guidance in administration and ensuring Malaya security and development.
The development of communism ideology at that time also encouraged the British to remain in
Malaya to prevent Malaya from falling into the hands of the communists. If this happen certainly
British will be embarrassed because at the same time Cold War is going on between the power of
communism and the power of democracy. In Malaya, Communist Party of Malaya (PKM) is

4
actively spreading this ideology. Thus, Malaya and the British have agreed to continue
cooperation in the field of defense by signing AMDA as a guarantee military assistance will be
granted if Malayan is threatened by communist or other. The treaty also gave benefit not only to
Malaya who was still weak in defence but instead gave the British a great advantage in
maintaining its position in the Asian Region.

Malaysia firm stand with formation of Malaysia. Even Indonesia launching

konfrontasi to Malaysia, Malaysia still remains firmly to continue the ides on formation of
Malaysia. Various efforts have been made by Malaysia to stop the conflict between two country
by using diplomatic channels, negotiations and discussions. Several series of negotiations and
agreements have been conducted and it also involves assistance and interventions from
Commonwealth countries such as Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. The konfrontasi has
shown how each country, whether Malaysia or Indonesia, has a determination in preserving the
dignity and continuity of their respective governments. Obviously each country has its own
requirements that complicate the process of reconciliation. Military approaches are avoided using
of military power because it not produce the best end. The end of the konfrontasi in 1966 was the
beginning of good relations between the two countries until now.

Win the hearts and minds local people. British learn from their experience of Malayan
Emergency. British recognized that needed to win the hearts and minds of local people at
Sarawak and Sabah. It is the crucial factor to success. British do it by providing medical
assistance and provide medical support to local people who needed. British also help by
improving the local communication and water supplies.12 By doing that, British force were able
to gain trust and support by local people especially indigenous people that live along the border.
By gaining the local people support it would prevent them to give support to Indonesia. It is also
can create an informal information network capable on getting the important intelligence
information.

Cooperation with local people. The Malaysian and British army received good support
from the local people of Sarawak and Sabah to ensure the safety within the borders of Sarawak

12
Nick Van Der Bijl, Confrontation The War With Indonesia 1962-1966, Great Britain: Pen & Sword Military, 2007,
pp 107.

5
and Sabah.13 By the help from British, local people establishing local security forces in the effort
to increase the defense force especially in the border areas of the country. The local security
forces set up were Sabah Border Scouts (SBS) established by the British in Sabah. 14 The SBS
team based in Keningau, Sabah and is comprised of villagers who are mostly members of the
Murut tribe. Apart from SBS, local security forces that known as the Home Guard also play an
important role. Home Guard is more towards security at village. This team is comprised of
villagers and headed by the village head.15Although it appears that its establishment is temporary,
its role in maintaining security at the village level is huge in ensuring peace is maintained.
During the confrontation the Home Guard's involvement helped the Malaysian Army in
particular in curbing the aggression and give the information to Malaysian and British army.16

Good information from local people. The information from the intelligence team is
important as an initial information on the strength of the enemy. In fact, it is useful to measure
attack and defense strategies to deal with any possible enemy attacks. The konfrontasi has
witnessed the involvement of local security forces Bultiken which acted as intelligence teams to
Malaysia and British army, especially in providing information regarding the movement of
Indonesia army in areas considered as strategic for possible attacks. Bultiken is a combination of
the three largest ethnic groups of the Sabah and Kalimantan border community consisting of
Bulungan, Tidung and Kenyah. The main aim of the formation of this team is as a Malaysian spy
that monitors, reports and disseminates the true description of the confrontation situation to the
Kalimantan border community. During a konfrontasi, Bultiken member was sent to the Sepulut
area by a helicopter to help the Commonwealth and Gurkha forces to strengthen defense in the
interior of Sabah.17 Intelligence information from locals very valuable and helpful because the
locals people are more aware and known of their areas.

Logistic support. Logistics supply are one of the key elements Malaysian success in
facing the Indonesia konfrontasi at the border of Sarawak and Sabah. Malaysia at that time

13
Nick Van Der Bijl, Confrontation The War With Indonesia 1962-1966, Great Britain: Pen & Sword Military, 2007,
pp 107.
14
Ibid.
15
Ibid p 108
16
Ibid p 97.
17
Ibid.

6
received full support from the British, Australia and New Zealand in term of military support.
Malaysia receive the military logistics in Sarawak and Sabah area using the helicopters for
delivery.18 The support from local people also give benefit for Malaysia and British army easy to
get logistic support especially food and other local item. Indonesian had facing the problem in
getting the logistic support from local people. There were incidents where Indonesian suspect
entering village and demanding food. The contacts involved Indonesian forces of 10 or fewer
personnel.

Unified operations. Various committee and organization have been involved in ensuring
Indonesian invasion on Malaysia can be overcome. Not only military, representatives of the
police and civilian authorities are together play a role in this situation. 19 This is important
because the support from local communities it can gather intelligence infromation and to provide
a jumping-off point for patrols.

Offensive action. To deter the Indonesian campaign of infiltrations, the British launching
Operation Claret into Indonesian Kalimantan border. British have launched Operation Claret to
allow offensive cross border to strike the Indonesia bases near the border. The Gurkha Rifle had
launched a successful ambush to Indonesia bases and forcing them to withdrawn up to 10,000
from border20. This operation has create the sanitized area along border where it would be
strategic location for Indonesia forces risked being launched their attack.

Malaysia self-reliance defense strategy. From the konfrontasi that happened, and the
British withdrawing from the AMDA agreement in 1971 give impact to Malaysia’s defense
strategy. Malaysia defense strategy has shifted to a self-reliance defense strategy in the era of
Tun Abdul Razak.21 The idea of establishing Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) between
Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore as a loose defense and understanding
form of mutual assistance helps but not as concrete agreements that provide assurances to help
18
Indonesian Involvement in Eastern Malaysia, 1964.Kuala Lumpur : Jabatan Chetak Kerajaan, p 47.
19
Ibid p 50.
20
Nick Van Der Bijl, Confrontation The War With Indonesia 1962-1966, Great Britain: Pen & Sword Military, 2007,
p 99.
21
Ministry Of Defence. Malaysia Defence: Towards Defence Self-Reliance. Kuala Lumpur: Warisan Advertising
Sdn. Bhd. 1995. p 22

7
each other in war. This situation affects Malaysia to decide on developing MAF capability and
implementing a self-reliance defense policy to ensure Malaysian can protect its own safety and
not to depend on other.

Conclusion

After independent, Malaya really relied on AMDA for defence and security because
Malaya still buildup the armed forces and inexperienced in managing conflict. With the lack of
military equipment, capability and experience, AMDA is the best solution to Malaya. AMDA
was a security umbrella to ensure the safety and sovereignty of Malaya.

Konfrontasi was a most bitter period in history relation between the two countries that
can still remember until now. Every time misunderstanding cases happen between Malaysia and
Indonesian, memory of konfrontasi is recalled. The Kalabakan Monument at Sabah is one of the
symbols of Malaysia's appreciation for the sacrifices of the Malaysian Army who are fighting
and the dead in konfrontasi. This monument was created in Kalabakan and Tawau to
commemorate the Kalabakan event. Kalabakan is one of the most critical areas during the
konfrontasi.

Without AMDA, it would have been a greater challenge for Malaysia to counter the threat
from Indonesia during Konfrontasi. It is a multilateral effort with the involved from British,
Australia and also New Zealand. Without AMDA the konfrontasi will not ended the way it did.
This is prove the significant of konfrontasi in relation to the AMDA.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ruhanas Harun, ‘The Evolution and Development of Malaysia’s National Security’

8
J. A. C. Mackie, 1974. Konfrontasi: The Indonesian- Malaysia Dispute 1963-1966. Kuala
Lumpur: Oxford University Press . Retrive from
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/china-quarterly/article/konfrontasi-the-
indonesiamalaysia-dispute-19631966-by-j-a-c-mackie-kuala-lumpur-oxford-university-
press-1974-368-pp-1225/9784EEE652F13EBBEC8F8C710BE05D87

Indonesian Involvement in Eastern Malaysia, 1964.Kuala Lumpur : Jabatan Chetak Kerajaan.

History of Counterinsurgency, Gregory Fermont,- Barners, 2015.

Mohd bin Samsudin, 1995, Kajian Dasar Luar Malaysia Penglibatan Pertahaanan dan
Keselamatan Negara – Negara Komanwel di Malaysia (1957-1971), Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia: Fakulti Sains Kemasyarakatan dan Kemanusiaan.

Nick Van Der Bijl, Confrontation The War With Indonesia 1962-1966, Great Britain: Pen &
Sword Military, 2007.

Ministry Of Defence. Malaysia Defence: Towards Defence Self-Reliance. Kuala Lumpur:

Warisan Advertising Sdn. Bhd. 1995.