felt very strongly. I think it is dangerous that the Brunei situation should continue too long. Whereas one would be reluctant to see us twisting the arm of the Sultan too hard, it may be that there should be some extra pressure to indicate, as the noble Marquess put so gently, that it would be in his own interests or in the interests of his people—and I think it would be in his interests also—that they should join this Federation.
I think it was either the noble Lord, Lord Milverton, or the noble Lord, Lord Twining, who said that it was a pity we could not have waited another ten years, but agreed, as we all must agree (and he made this clear) that this was the time to do it. It really is just in time, for I do not like to think what might have happened in regard to this situation, even if we were only another year behind, because of the unexpected reaction of Dr. Sukarno. When I say "unexpected", I mean because it changes. On the last occasion I had to speak on foreign affairs I was congratulating Indonesia on coming into a more moderate phase, and recently we have found ourselves back in what has been called, and rightly called, a neo-colonialism. It is depressing, the way, when countries get their independence, they always want to grab somebody else's territory. Even the Argentine and Chile want part of the Antarctic. This is something, I suppose, that the ex-imperial powers, who have got this bug out of their system, find rather difficult to understand; but although we may have been allowed to get away with it—and I am not making any moral claims in regard to this matter—clearly, Malaysia must be independent and it must be made abundantly clear that she will have support.
I hope, too, that the idea of a wider Federation of the whole South-East Asia territories will not be abandoned. Now may not be the best time, but there is little doubt that if it could be achieved it would be to the great benefit of the peoples there. They could then trade freely with one another, be able to build their countries up, and, possibly, even overcome the anxieties of those peoples of areas which are under-populated and get them to accept more population. But one can appreciate that while there is this suspicion around it will be very much more difficult to achieve. Therefore, I add my words of congratulation and of good wishes to the new Federation of Malaysia, and say that I am sure all your Lordships who have taken part in this debate will continue to watch and, if necessary, prod the Government to give such further help as may be necessary.
3.33 p.m.
THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE My Lords, I should like to thank all the noble Lords who have taken part in this debate for the way in which they have received this Bill. In particular, I should like to refer to the speeches of the noble Lords, Lord Shepherd and Lord Shackleton, both of whom spoke with knowledge of the area, the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd, I think, in particular. I should like to pick up one of the observations made by the noble Lord, Lord Shackleton. That is, although perhaps some might have wished that the creation of this Federation of Malaysia could have been deferred for, say, ten years, he in his belief thinks it may be that Malaysia has only just been created in time.
In this debate many noble Lords have been good enough to pay tribute to me for such part as I have been able to play in this, and I assure noble Lords that I am deeply appreciative of this. I should like myself to add my tribute to some of the principal architects of this Malaysia who have been mentioned by noble Lords in the course of this debate. I should like to pay my tribute to Tunku Abdul Rahman, a very remarkable statesman with a particular touch of genius which has enabled him to help bring this idea—an idea which has been in many people's minds for many years—into reality.
I would also pay my tribute to my friend and my associate, his Deputy Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, who throughout the time we have worked together—and it has now been nearly a year—has been consistently fair, co-operative and helpful; it was in very large measure due to his statesmanlike approach that it was possible to reach agreement in the Inter-Governmental Committee which was concerned with the affairs of North Borneo and Sarawak. I would also pay my tribute to another very remarkable man, the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, and also to the two Finance Ministers, the Finance Minister of the Federation of Malaya, whom I know very well, Tan Sien Sin, and another friend, Doctor Goh Keng Swee, the Finance Minister of Singapore.
