Indonesian Confrontation

1 RUR river patrol by longboat, Sarawak.

On 20 January 1963, President Sukarno’s government of Indonesia announced that it would be pursuing a policy of Konfrontasi following British proposals for an amalgamation of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore and British Borneo (North Borneo and Sarawak). Sukarno sought to explain the expansion of this new amalgamated Malaysia as nothing other than a continuation of British colonial influence in the region.

However, he viewed the expansion of a Malaysia supported by the British as an obstacle to his regional power ambitions. In addition to sponsoring local political oppositions, and insurrection and revolt in Brunei and Sarawak, Sukarno took the decision to directly involve Indonesian forces and on 12 April 1963, a police station in Sarawak was attacked.

To view articles on the part played by The Royal Ulster Rifle during the confrontation, please click on the following:

• RUR Prepare for Confrontation
• Farewell to Sarawak
• Return and Reception in Belfast
• Platoon Commander’s Album, Sarawak

The last item is a pictorial account of life and locations at platoon level, as glimpsed through the lens of the Platoon Commander 5 Platoon, Lieutenant R N Wheeler.