Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-12-08
independence Fight
Breaks Out.in Borneo
But Brunei
Is Believed
In Control

BRUNEI, Dec. 8 (AP).-A
revolt for independence broke
out before dawn today in this
British-protected sultanate on
the Island Of Borneo. Britain
rushed tough Gurkha troops
from Singapore but the royal
government appeared 10 have
the uprising under control.
Seven persons were reported
killed in the first skirmishcs
between the rebels and the
forces of the Sultan, Sir Omar
Ali Saifuddin.
The rebels attacked oil in
stallations manned by 200
Britons, Dutch and Australians
in this capital. But there were
no reports of casualties or
serious damage. The installa-
tons pump out 4 million tons
of oil a year.
Other installations Attacked
The rebels also we're reported
to have attacked installations
in Seria, a major oil installa-
ton about As miles southwest
of here.
lin Kuching, capital of the
neighboring British territory
of Sarawak, the government
announced the situation in
Brunei was under government
control and that oroer had
been restored. 1t said how
ever, the situation was still
serious at Seria and in nearby
Kuala Belait.)
Brunei City was quiet in
daybreak.
In Manila, A. M. Azahari,
leader Of Brunei's strongest
political party-the Parti Rak-
vat Peoples Party) pro-
claimed himself revolutionary
prime minister of Brunei and
also of two neighboring terri
tories, North Borneo and Sara
wax.
Fire Exchanged at Border
North Borneo police reported
they exchanged fire with Bru-
mel rebels at Weston near the
North Borneo- Brunei border
this morning. They reported
no casualties.
Mr.. Azahari said his rebels
numbered 10000 to $4,000 and
operated as the Tentera Ma
sional Kalimantan Utara
NORTH Borneo National Army,
elements Of which have been
previously identified as pro-
Indonesia. Indonesia owns
part of this island off south
east Asia.
British army sources in
Singapore said $50 Gurkhas
had left there aboard eight
troop transports on a 700-mile
flight to Brunei. They said
more would follow tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Sultan told
Brunei's $4,000 residents in a
radio address the revolt was
launched by what he called an
unlawful unit Of army men,
bers."
II know who is responsible
for this armed rebellion" he
said. THE strongest possible
measures will be taken against
those responsible and those
guilty will be dealt with &C
cordingly."
Coercion Charged
He claimed the rebels coerced
many citizens into joining the
revolt by saying 1t had royal
approval.
Mr.. Azahari has been a lead
ing prepayment Of independence
for the Borneo territories
scheduled for inclusion in a
federation to be called Malay
STA, with Malaga and Singa-
pore.
Malayans working with the
government here rejected an
offer from their prime minister,
Tunka Abdul Rahman, TO be
flown out.
1T is possible TO keep the
situation under control" they
said. I'VE elect to remain all
together to help Brunei. :. :"
Mr.. Azahari claimed his
rebels also opened revolts in
Sarawak and North Borneo but
there was no confirmation Of
this.
! Mr. Azahari made his claims
I'd newsmen in Manila. capital
Of the Philippines which has
lodged a formal claim TO Brit
ain for the territory Of North
Borneo.
Mr.. Azahari's party opposes
the joining Of Brunei. North
Borneo and Sarawak in a Ma
laysia Federation which would
include Malaga and Singapore
He said his men surrounded
See REVOLT. Page AS