End of the Big Star

The latest joint military operation by Malaysian and Thai governments against communist guerillas in Wouthern Thailand ended recently. The campaign involving 5,00 troops supported by air strikes, artillery and army dogs, lasted 37 days.

According to a military spokesman, the success of Operation Big Star II included the capture of 20 communist camps, a tin mine and a herion factory. The losses were "3 Malaysian and 2 Thai soldiers killed, and 30 wounded". Both authorities bad admitted, however, that the guerillas had evacuated even before the campaign began.

A number of conflicts between the two participating countries emerged during the campaign. The Malaysian side was critical of the Thai for supplying only a quarter of the total number of troops involved. The Thais, however, defended themselves by saying that their troops were stretched in campaigns in 14 provinces in Thailand.

Comments were also made by the Malaysians on the costly drive and how it only benefitted a "foriegn country". On the other hand, both countries looked to the Americans for more military aids.

The nationwide rivalry between Thai police and the armed forces also had its effect on the campaign. Feer (22.04.1977) reported a "rumour" that a shoot-out getween the police and the army resulted in the death of 30 rural policemen. It also reported the brutal treatment of civilians by the armed forces in the area.

At the end of the campaign, some military officers expressed concern on where they would be posted next. Guerillas said to have been flushed out of one area and emerged over 100 km away to ambush the troops.

A concluding remark of a Malaysian officer was revealing, "We sweep out the leaves from the ground, but the leaves can fall again and we cannot be gardeners on other people's land forever".