The new arrangements for Singapore, imposed without any consultation with the peoples concerned, underline again the artificial, foreign dominated and undemocratic nature of "Malaysia". They can hardly be seen as either an eviction or a secession of Singapore when the Federation's troops will continue to be stationed on the island, and Tengku Abdul Rahman still claims full authority over, for example, Singapore's relations with Indonesia. In addition, thecontinuing presence of the powerful British bases on the island and on the mainland makes it impossible to take serious~ ly the claim that Singapore is now "independent,"
The reality of continuing British power over Malaya (including Singapore) was indicated by the fact that the decision for the new arrangements was obviously made by the British government, Although official spokesmen have expressed "surprise", this referred only to the timing of the announcements, and Mr. Wilson has revealed that the new arrangements have been part of British contingency planning since January.
By creating at least a formal barrier between the squabbling groups in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, this latest move aims to prevent the imminent collapse of "Malaysia", and to open the way for some further re-arrangement should the federation nevertheless disintegrate. The opportunity has been taken to impose a new military agreement on Singapore which now enables Britain to use the Singapore bases for SEATO purposes. The British Government also hopes that the new move will tempt Indonesia to establish relations with Singapore, at least by the resumption of trade, and that these links may lead eventually to the lessening of Indonesia's "confrontation" against the British military bases,
This desperate manoeuvre does not, however, extricate Britain from its problems in the area. "Malaysia" is increasingly revealed as a British-imposed plan to protect its traditional imperial military and economic interests in the area, and this in turn further exposes the myth that the war Britain is waging is to protect "Malaysia" from Indonesian aggression. The British aims remain incompatible with the aspirations of the people there, and also with the long term interests of Britain as a nation. There is a rapidly growing realisation in Britain that the crippling cost of the bases East of Suez, of which those in Malaya form the main part, is placing the entire British economy in pawn.
The Movement for Colonial Freedom condemns the decision on Singapore as one carried out without any consultation with the peoples of Malaya in order to reinforce British imperial power in the region. We affirm our stand in support of the people of Malaya, of which Singapore is a natural part, and of Northern Borneo in their continuing struggle for national unity and self-determination. Peace in South East Asia, in Vietnam as in Malaya and Northern Borneo, necessitates the withdrawal of all foreign bases and troops from the region, leaving the peoples free to decide their own future.