CHIEF MINISTER DATO NINGKAN VISITING HIS CONSTITUENCY; GREETING PARTY MEMBERS; PRESENTING CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATES; KUCHING AFTERMATH OF ATTACK ON BRITISH INFORMATION SERVICE OFFICE AND BRITISH COMPANY.




Initials JRG/VS/JF/MM



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Background: THE CHIEF MINISTER OF SARAWAK, THE BORNEO-MALAYSIAN STATE, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) HE HAD FORMALLY CALLED FOR A GENERAL ELECTION.

THE MOVE, WHICH WOULD DISSOLVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IS HIS RESPONSE TO THE MOVE BY THE MALAYSIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE FOR A SECOND TIME. THE CRISIS HAS LED TO A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

THE CHIEF MINISTER, DATO NINGKAN SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT UNTIL THE ELECTION, THE STATE SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY A CARETAKER GOVERNMENT COMPRISING HIMSELF AND MEMBERS OF VARIOUS PARTIES.

ON THURSDAY, HE WAS GATHERING SUPPORT FOR HIS CALL, VISITING HIS CONSTITUENCY IN THE SARIBAS DISTRICT ABOUT 70 MILES (OVER 110 KMS.) FROM KUCHING. DURING THE VISIT HE PRESENTED MALAYSIAN CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATES TO 14 CHINESE RESIDENTS.

IN KUCHING, THE SAME DAY, JUST SHORTLY BEFORE THE DECLARATION OF THE EMERGENCY, DEMONSTRATORS BROKE A GLASS DOOR AT THE BRITISH INFORMATION SERVICE OFFICE AND SMASHED A WINDOW AT THE OFFICES OF A BRITISH FIRM.