Indonesia opposed the creation of Malaysia with a campaign of raids and subversion. It ended when Suharto replaced Sukarno, and the reconciliation helped create ASEAN.
In 1961 Malaya's prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, proposed a federation of Malaya, Singapore and the British Borneo territories. Britain supported it as a way to leave its colonies while keeping a friendly, anti-communist state.
Sukarno denounced Malaysia as a British "neo-colonial" scheme. Indonesia had backed a revolt in Brunei in December 1962, and in January 1963 it announced a policy of "confrontation".
In mid-1963 the leaders of Malaya, Indonesia and the Philippines met in Manila. They agreed to a UN survey of opinion in Sabah and Sarawak, and to a loose grouping called Maphilindo. But Malaysia was proclaimed on 16 September 1963, and Indonesia and the Philippines refused to recognise it.
Indonesia sent guerrillas across the Borneo border, landed troops in peninsular Malaysia in 1964, and set off bombs in Singapore. British and Commonwealth forces defended Malaysia. In January 1965 Indonesia left the UN when Malaysia took a seat on the Security Council.
After the coup attempt of 1965, the army under Suharto took power and lost interest in the campaign. Talks in Bangkok led to an agreement in August 1966 that ended Konfrontasi. A year later, Indonesia and Malaysia were founding members of ASEAN.
- Malaysia formed
- 16 September 1963.
- Indonesia leaves the UN
- January 1965.
- Konfrontasi ends
- August 1966.
Worked example: Explaining Konfrontasi
Why did Indonesia confront Malaysia?
- Ideology: opposition to "neo-colonialism" and British bases.
- Ambition: Sukarno's wish to lead the region.
- Domestic politics: rallying the army and the PKI behind him.
- Grievance: Malaysia proclaimed just after the UN survey, on a date fixed before it ended.
Watch out for this
Konfrontasi was a full-scale war between Indonesia and Malaysia.
It was an undeclared, low-level conflict of raids, infiltration and bombings. Both sides avoided all-out war.
Check your understanding
How did Konfrontasi end?
- After Suharto took power, talks led to an agreement in August 1966.
- Malaysia invaded Indonesia.
- The UN imposed a settlement in 1963.