Kuala Lumpur, 13 December 1962
441. Secret Immediate
Brunei Revolt
Tunku called meeting at short notice this afternoon of Senior Commonwealth Representatives to discuss Brunei situation.
2. High Commissioner was unable to attend (only Commonwealth representatives were Tory1 of United Kingdom and Bennett2 of New Zealand). We understand from New Zealanders that meeting took form of briefing session on Brunei situation including assessment of Indonesian intentions and was attended by leading Services Personnel.
3. Tunku appeared to be apprehensive that Indonesia would intervene before revolt is put down in next few days. He claimed that high level talks were held today in Djakarta which involved Service Chiefs and were presumably in connection with Brunei Revolt. He advanced evidence (not challenged by Tory) of Indonesian Military build-up in Southern Borneo and of construction of airfield on Natuna Besar3 which threatens route between Singapore and Borneo.
4. Tunku and Tory agreed it could be timely to invoke article 6 of Defence Agreement4 providing for ‘consultations’ between Malaya and Britain in event of threat of armed attack against Malaya and British territory in far east region.
5. We will be checking further on conclusions reached at meeting.
[NAA: A1838, TS696/14 part 1]
1 Sir Geofroy Tory.
2 Lieutenant Colonel Charles Moihi To Arawaka Bennett.
3 Island in the South China Sea, northeast of Singapore and southwest of Brunei.
4 That is, the Anglo-Malayan Defence Agreement 1957.