Confrontation of Indonesia

Ahmad Najmi bin Rosdi,

Course of ASEAN, Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies,
UiTM Seremban 3,
Seremban, Malaysia
Email: najmirosdi@gmail.com

1. Introduction

This paper will clarify how Malaysia-Indonesia relation was, before and after the confrontation?
To what extent the event of Indonesia confrontation change the foreign policy as well as bilateral
relation between both countries and the effects towards the stability of the region. The main
purpose of this paper is actually to explain factors that lead to the confrontation and how both
countries deal with it.

This paper can be divided into three main parts, which are before the confrontation, during and
aftermath. Before the confrontation this paper will explain what the factors are and environment
at that time that lead to the disagreement of opinion between Malaysia and Indonesia, next this
paper will touch on the situation during the confrontation itself, and then lastly is the impact of
confrontation and counter measure taken by government to solve the problems

2. Background

Confrontation is a situation in which there is a disagreement between people or two groups who

have different opinions (Oxford, 2010). In term of Confrontation in South East Asean, generally

it was a disagreement of two neighbor countries, Malaysia and Indonesia about several matters.

The regional conflict lasted from 1963 to 1966, and during the four years period of confrontation,

there were a lot of destruction occurred undermined by the Indonesian communist.

Confrontation was generally measure taken by Indonesia to show their contention towards the

idea of amalgamation of Malaya which involved several regions, Federation of Malaya,

Singapore and North Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak). The idea was raised by Malaysia first Prime

Minister, late Tunku Abdul Rahman in May 1961 and received various opinions from internal

and external stakeholders. Among regional leader who opposed the idea of Tunku is Sukarno,

First President of Indonesia.

The midpoint of war occurred between the borders of East Malaysia and Kalimantan. The war

focused on that part since the length of the border encompasses about 2000 km of length. The

length of border really gives trouble to Malaysia since Malaysia army faced shortage of

equipment during that time. However Malaysia was supported by a few countries such as United

Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand Canada and United States, this pact also known as

Commonwealth forces. With a lot of challenging geographical aspect such as proper road that

both sides have to face, they have no option and have to use foot patrols mode.

Indonesia Army position become more organized day by day, these lead to an implementation of

counter measure to stop the movement of Indonesia Army. British force comes out with a

solution called Operation Claret. The conflict started to abate in late 1965 due to the rebellion

towards Sukarno administration, called Gestapo 30. Soon after the rebellion, Sukarno step down

as a President and replaced by Suharto. During Suharto era, a negotiation towards peace phase

started and a peace agreement was signed between Malaysia and Indonesia on 11 August 1966.

3. Conflict

First factor of conflict is ideological different between Malaysia and Indonesia. Sukarno who

well known with his Anti-Western and Pro-Communist stands, viewed establishment of

Malaysia as another part of neo-colonialism in South East Asean region. Nature of neo

colonialism is that the state already gained their independence but their economy and political
movement still controlled by external forces (Nkrumah, 1965). Neo colonialism nature was

different with Sukarno principle, he believed even without using any external powers

independence still can be achieved. Indonesia voice during Sukarno era was very dominant in

South East Asia region, and to ensure the continuity of his dominity, Sukarno was very loud in

delivering his position against the idea of amalgamation.

He criticized the great powers especially Great Britain and Netherland because these two

countries consistently interfering the affairs of the third world countries such as Malaysia and

Indonesia. Sukarno from his opinion knows that the effect of post amalgamation of Malaysia was

that both these two great powers will conquer Malaysia in term of politics and economics.

His close relations with Communist Block during his term brought benefits to Sukarno and

Indonesia generally. Soviet Union, China and several countries that supported Communist Bloc

aided Indonesia in order to stop western influence from spread widely in South East Asia. The

ideological war between Indonesia and Malaysia was due to the previous war which is cold war.

In 1960s the world are divided into three parts which are Western Bloc, Communist Bloc and

Non Aligned Movement. Indonesia under Sukarno was influenced by ideology of communism,

that why he was supported by communist bloc, contrast to Malaysia which Sukarno assumed

Malaysia was Pro-Western at that time.

Confrontation foreign policy by Sukarno in 1963 also was happened due to internal political

situation. Before the conflict happened, Indonesia initiates a campaign to seize West Irian from

Dutch. The process to seize West Irian or also known as Netherlands New Guinea from Dutch

involved a lot of commitment, either time or cost. Then when Sukarno managed to annex West

Irian from Dutch, it motivate him to be more successful by increasing Indonesias territorial, the
most suitable territory to be annexed is Malaysia region. For Sukarno, Malaysia was not that

stable in term of politics and much weaker than Indonesia.

During the annexation of West Irian, administration of Sukarno spent a lot of money and the

unhealthy spending lead to economic downturn to Indonesia. External debts beared by Indonesia

reached the critical point and lead to serious economic problems, so to deviate the attention of

Indonesian, Sukarno tries to create a national issue named Ganyang Malaysia. The national

issue he creates was used to escape from his failure in managing a country. Sukarno in

maintaining his position promise to Indonesian that their economic and domestic problem could

be settled once the problem of Malaysia ended. In the other words, he take advantage from the

external issue to maintain his position.

Third factor is role of PKI. PKI played a very significant role in increasing the hatred among

Indonesian to oppose the amalgamation of Malaya. They also are the one who keep pressing

Sukarno to oppose the establishment of Malaysia. Before 1956, Indonesia foreign policy quite

balance since the Vice President of Indonesia, Mohd Hatta ideology is more into west and

Sukarno was pro communist. However after resignation of Hatta, influence of communism

dominated Indonesia administration. Due to the resignation also, Javanese political leader

became dominant in Indonesia political arena and most of them were pro communist.

During Sukarno tenure, his post in Presidency seat was stable because he was supported by PKI.

When PKI seen Malaysia as pro western, so they influenced Sukarno to organize confrontation

against Malaysia. When Tunku proposed Federation of Malaysia, Foreign Minister of Indonesia,

Subandrio have no objection against it until the issue was raised by PKI. PKI also was among the

earlier and loudest party to oppose the Federation of Malaysia.

However the confrontation of Indonesia started to slow down in 1966 right after Sukarnos

regime was defeated and PKI influenced become weaken. Influence of PKI also was stop in

March 1966 lead by Suharto. Suharto tenure when he lead Indonesia really different compared to

Sukarno, Suharto practice new order administration where the foreign policy change

dramatically from pro communist to pro western.

Confrontations of Indonesia lead to ideological war, communist states channel their aid to

Indonesia while capitalist states or pro western channel their aid to Malaysia. Malaysia

throughout four years of insurgency was fully back by United Sates, Great Britain, Canada,

Australia and New Zealand while Indonesia was helped by China and Soviet Union. The conflict

rise between Indonesia and Malaysia was not really only between them alone, but controlled by

another super power which are United States and Soviet Union.

For western, countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia really important for them since they are

rich with natural resources and located at a centre of sea route between east and west.

Controlling these countries means great powers can control their natural resources especially the

black gold or oil. For America, it was crucial to have stability in term of politics in Southeast

Asian region, since in 1960s communism ideology started to expand. So with intervention from

America in South East Asia region, expansion of ideology by communist great power especially

Soviet Union and China can be curb.

America really relied to Malaysia and Indonesia to stop expansion of communist in Southeast

Asian region since other neighbor countries already dominated by communist. Malaysia and

Indonesia will act as a stabilizer to Vietnam. Vietnam political ideology was very strongly

affected by the communist, and if American cannot manage to expand their influence in
Malaysia and Indonesia, capitalist ideology or American influence in Southeast Asian region will

disappeared.

ASEAN establishment in 1967 is another achievement for America actually. With the

establishment of the regional organization all pro western state and capitalist ideology stand

under one organization. Without the existence of ASEAN, the influence of communism can

demolished the influence of America. Controlling Malaysia means America can control

Singapore as well since the proposed Federation of Malaysia also included Singapore. West

countries not only get an advantage from political aspect, but also they can control the economy

of Southeast Asian countries.

During Cold War, Asia Pacific region became the battle field for hegemonic power to strengthen

their influence, For United States and Soviet, Southeast Asia can contribute a lot in term of

economic development to them since United States and Soviet were in process to achieve

developed country during those years and their industry really needs raw material from Southeast

Asia, especially rubber tin and petroleum. America does not want to give up the other Asia

Pacific Region after Soviet Union annexed several of them. Among the region that controlled by

Soviet were China, Korea and Vietnam. China was controlled by communist after Mao Tse-Tung

or Mao Zedong defeated Nationalist in Chinese Civi War in 1949 while in Korea, communist

started to be in command of Korea after they won Korean War 1950s and in Vietnam, America

army lost to Vietnam communist in Vietnam War 1954.

United States believe by restraining the expansionist of Communism in Southeast Asia, they can

maintain public good in the region. No action by United States means security interest of

western especially their military bases in Southeast Asian region such as in Philippines and
Thailand as well as in East Asia which are in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are in danger.

Rivalries between Indonesia and Malaysia in Southeast Asia actually were shape by international

politics at global arena. Rivalries between United States and Soviet affected the politics in

Southeast Asia since they tried to expand their ideology in order to prove which bloc is more

powerful.

4. Co-operation between Indonesia-Malaysia

After peace agreement was signed, bilateral relations between Malaysia and Indonesia totally

changed. Post 1965 bilateral relation filled with co-operation and harmony after the Suharto took

over administration from Sukarno. New administration by Suharto overturned the old pro

communist policy and replaced it with pro west and applied not only to Malaysia but also to

other countries. Pro west policy means administration of Suharto and Tunku became closer.

President Suharto made a decision to end a confrontation against Malaysia and tied a cooperation

with other Southeast Asian countries.

ASEAN establishment and success actually initiated and supported by President Suharto.

Indonesia can be considered as a backbone to ASEAN success as well as contribution by United

States. Without presence of Indonesia in ASEAN, stability, co-operation and harmony are

impossible to be achieved. ASEAN countries cannot deny the function of Indonesia as regional

hegemonic power to ensure political stability after 1967. New order leader like Suharto really

bring benefits to Indonesia as their relation with United States change drastically and this

indirectly lead to a new phase of bilateral relation of Malaysia-Indonesia. This new phase of

relation was very important for United States in order to strengthen American hegemonic

influence in Southeast Asian region.

Malaysia before 1966 failed to seek cooperation with Indonesia because the idiosyncratic factor

as President Sukarno preferred to practice non-cooperation foreign policy with pro western

countries. Unlike Sukarno, Suharto was more lenient with western countries and anti communist.

This idiosyncratic factor also leads to banning of PKI in Mach 1966 after Suharto took over the

administration of Indonesia. Banning of PKI means co-operation with Malaysia are more likely

to be achieved.

Although PKI was banned in 1966, but initiatives to destroy PKI actually started a year before.

In 1965 under Suharto command, most of the PKI leaders were killed without went through any

trial. General Suharto position became stronger and his party, Golkar won simple majority in

general election that was held in 1971. Even though they were several other parties Such as

Nadhatul Ulama and PNI competing in the general election, yet Golkar still managed to won 236

seats out of 360. Stable domestic politics lead to an effective foreign policy by Suharto.

Under new order administration initiates by President Suharto, Japan willing to help Indonesia to

developed the country in term of economy assisted by United States. New regime managed to

turn economy of Indonesia to a stable one and increase their living standards. Pattern of

Indonesia foreign policy after confrontation is more into improving relationship with Malaysia in

term of ideological context. Co-operation of Indonesia in ASEAN actually hinder communist

influence from Vietnam and China from entering ASEAN. Indonesia as regional hegemony

managed to tie a very close relationship with United States in the period after 1967 until fallen of

Soviet Union in 1991.

5. Conclusion

Apparently relation between Malaysia and Indonesia in 1960s was very tense with a lot of

interference from Indonesia towards Malaysia internal security matters. This is due to the

idiosyncratic initiate by Indonesia first president, Sukarno. Even with a lot of plans to improve

Malaysia-Indonesia relation from side of Malaysia, yet the good bilateral relation still impossible

to be done in a harmonize environment since sabotage from Indonesia itself.

However relation between of Malaysia-Indonesia totally changed after Suharto took over the

post of President from Sukarno .With a common ideological practice in an administration, which

is pro-western, Malaysia-Indonesia relation continue to growth and move to the another step of

impressive bilateral relation. Soon after Suharto became the President, establishment of regional

organization in Southeast Asia became reality, in August 1967, Association of South East Asian

Nations, ASEAN was establish and presided by Indonesia for the first time. The organization

crucial to curb the influence of communist among Southeast Asia country as in 1960s the

influence of communism was very widespread.

Malaysia should be very proud today since the confrontation was ended with diplomatic solution

from both countries initiatives and fatalities due to confrontation can be minimize.
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