NationStates Jolt Archive

As reported by Reuters

Kuching, Sarawak State, Northern Borneo

Reports have been received of violence in the Sarawak capital of Kuching amid growing rumours of a possible attempt to topple the administration of the East Malaysian state.

At present information on the cause and perpertrators of the fighting remains conjectural, with most regular communications channels to Kuching having been severed earlier in the day. Efforst are being made to discover more details about the unfolding crisis.

OOC: Here's a map for reference
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/antoku/Map_Kuching.gif

The Astana, Kuching, 4.00 am local time

The colonel watched silently as the narrow file of guerillas scuttled between buildings. With the power grid down, most streets were eerily dark; here however, the brilliant white lights of the governor's residence cut between the buildings. The bastards must have an emergency generator mused the colonel bitterly, though in truth he'd expected as much.

He instinctively felt his 2ic come up behind him even though his eyes were still glued to the illuminated command ahead.

'We're in position boss, are we going in?'
'Not yet...'
'What is it?'
The colonel backed up slightly, and pointed to a section of the building partly obscured by the shade from the arc lights.
'See there, just round the corner from the mainblock?
'Yeah...'
'Wait a second...there.'
'Perimeter guard?'
'No. Too low, too stationary.'
'So what then?'
'Look again. Whoever's there is nicely in the shadow, but still has a clean line to the near wall and main gate.'
'A sniper.'
'Could be...I'm worried it might be an MG.'
'If it's an MG it'll mince us coming down off the wall...'
'Doesn't much matter what the hell it is, it means they're alert and waiting...in other words more competent than we'd been led to believe.'

The 2ic grunted softly. 'So what's it going to be boss? We can't sit round here on our asses until its light enough for a blind man to spot us...'
'Agreed, so we're going in, just not the way we'd planned.'
'It won't be easy to reposition now...'
'Then we'd better phone home for help.'

TBC...

Kuching, 4.29 am local time

'Sun'll be up within thirty, what the hell have they got us waiting for, boss?'
'Sit tight, they said to wait until 0430 and then to go in as planned.'
'And just what are they going to come up with in thirty? A diversion?'

The colonel gripped the AKM, and half rose. 'No, not a diversion. A solution. Time!'
All along the line of houses, shadowered figures readied themselves for the charge into the light.
'Right, with me men!'
The Colonel spring foward into the white glare, launching his heavy body across the street to the far wall. Behind him, a trickle of armed fighters grew into a flood as the men broke into a run.

Within moments he was pulled tight against the wall; no shots had as yet been fired so perhaps his fears about the garrison's alertness had been wrong after all. So far so good.

Clumps of fighters were gathering around him now, one to his right shouldering an RPG aside to find a better grip on the grappling irons being readied.

At 4.33 the first wave broke over the wall a kept on going toward the main residence building. It was too late to worry about snipers or MGs now; all that mattered was the surge of adrenalin.

As he sprinted for the building, trying to hug what meagre cover there was, the colonel noticed movement in the first floor windows, so he instictely swung the AKM into a firing position. Yet still no shots came. Could things really be this easy?

He was barely ten metres from the residence when a desultary fire chattered out from the windows. Glancing back, he saw some of his men drop into firing position and loose off a few rounds to cover those still moving forward. A sudden rush of air past his cheek announced the close passage of a bullet, so with the last ounce of his speed he flung his body foward into the welcoming embrace of a shadowed alcove.

There the colonel paused to take stock of the assault. There didn't seem to be any organised resistance coming from the place, and the brief fire was being heavily countered by his own force. Fighters reaching the building were smashing ground floor windows in an attempt to gain access. Satisfied with the situation, he turned to organise the final storming.

The fabric of his combat slacks snagged on something, and he involuntarily glanced down. The cold eyes of a dead man glared up at him, tightly-gripping fingers still clutched around the belt feed of a 50 calibre machine-gun. The colonel, unlike most of his scratch force was no stranger to combat, but something about the grizzly tableau in the alcove sent icy fingers grasping for his innards. The two man crew of the MG lay on their backs, the ammunition loaders till clutching a belt of shiny rounds. Their white faces were contorted in death, leering in a silent unfinished scream, yet no signs of violent death were immediately visible.

'Boss?' His 2ic ran over, but the moment his eyes rounded on the alcove secret's all momentum darined from his stride. 'Hell...'
'That's about the size of it Major...'
'Was it...'
'Them?'
The major nodded.
'We did ask for assistance.'
The colonel began to move back around the corner of the building, conscious that while he was wasting time, his men could be charging into danger. What was it about those dead soldiers that had made him lose his focus?'
'Boss...'
'What is it major?'
'Why the hell do they even need us?'

Shouts were coming from inside the house. The colonel tensed, then almost immediately relaxed. A door opened to disgorge a gaggle of his fighters leading a line of officials and police, their arms atop their bowed heads. He truned back to face the 2ic.
'That's something I'm content never to ask...'

As reported by Reuters

News just in:

Fighting has broken out in Kota Kinabulu and Sandakan, the chief centres of the neighbouring state of Sabah. Reports suggest that the upsurge of violence in Sabah may be linked to the rumoured coup attempt in the Sarawak capital Kuching.

[OOC]W00t! Leave KK alone bitch, my Malaysian family lives there. Seriously, by the time such things happened in Kuching the Malaysian Defence Force there would be right on top of your troops...

We condemn Oshima and Izu's invasion of Sabah and Sarawak. We will pledge forces to make sure Oshima and Izu does not complete their annexation of said states.

The whirr of the C5's engines made conversation impossible - instead the elite paratroopers made their time go past by checking equipment and weapons. They had been told they were going in to protect the Sovereignty of two states called Sabah and Sarawak - places they had never even heard of. The four battalions were packed tightly into their planes. That was, by Hogsweatian standards, a whole regiment, 2000 men. The 89th Kings Paratroopers.
The planes were escorted by two wings of Sea Harriers, from a nearby aircraft carrier.

OOC: Glad though I am to have a response, I would like to know how the fine nation of Hogsweat realises O&I is behind events? I've merely posted descriptions of violence, an attack on the Astana and a possible coup. Anything else is conjecture.

As to the Malaysian Defence Force; who says they aren't on the scene- in one form or another *wink*

IC:

The Ringist Shogunate is shocked by the ill-considered accusations being thrown in its direction by Hogsweat. Truly the world is becoming a lawless place if supposedly respectable nations start flinging threats about without a shred of evidence to back them up.

Furthermore, the Ringist Shogunate condemns Hogsweat's crude attempt to engineer a crisis and blame it on another nation, in order that they may have a pretext for their own imperialist actions.

If a single Hogsweatian force lands in East Malaysisa, the Ringist Shogunate will be forced to intervene to protect the local peoples.

Official Response
We are quite sure that Ringist forces are assaulting the sovereign states of Sabah and Sarawak. We WILL intervene, and find out who is behind the dastardly attempt. If it is not Ringist forces, we apologise. If it is, you better start running, because we are going to catch you...

Err...better clear something up ASAP

Ringism is a movement, and as such is not limited to O&I (though O&I is according to my knowledge the only 'Ringist' nation in NS :))

So it is local Ringists that are assaulting the governments; whether they are sponsored by O&I remains to be seen!

The best analogy is to think if Ringism in terms of early 20th century Soviet-style communism: like the latter, Ringism in its purest form stressed the need to export the movement as widely as possible; however as with Stalinist Russia, O&I today practices a strict regime of 'Ringism in one country'.

OOC: I actually claimed this in HP's thread...maybe we could work out joint sovereignity? We're both socialist in some form. Then again, we're anti-stalinist. We could fight over it :p

OOC: Hmm...I seem to have chosen an awkward anaology. Ringism isn't communism or socilaism, I just used them as an example of spread vs containment.

Anyhow, I'd like to come to an arrangement with both Kanabia and Hogsweat, since personally I'm trying to get away from another mindless war RP.

Oh, and for what's its worth- I wasn't aware of your prior claim Kanabia so sorry about that ;)

OOC: No problem.

IC: The assault came before the Kanabian army had a chance to arrive and reenforce the local government, which had just signed a treaty with Kanabia to join the commonwealth...

It was unclear who exactly was behind this, but something needed to be done to find out. Attention was focused towards one of the only official Ringist nations, Oshima and Izu.

OOC: I'll think of something better later. Got work to do :(

The silent screen flickered for a few seconds before coming to life.

Masako allowed her eyes a few moments to adjust to the bluish light flooding the previously darkened room. The pale surface of the monitor now showed the unmistakable outline of a mountain silhouetted against swirling clouds; in the foreground were the shapes of seven figures, three standing on each side of the seventh, who was seated. Masako bowed deeply, touching her head to the floor.

A thin voice crackled from the speakers. "Northern Borneo seems unexpectedly popular for this time of year Takano-san."
"It is nothing that cannot be handled, Ue-sama," replied the kneeling girl to the flickering image, "and our need for this land is great."
"Land is useful, but as in all things the price must be considered. I truly find your peculiar talents most useful Takano-san, but I fear they are not called for in this instance."
"I am yours to command lord."
"Of which there is no doubt. We are resolved to use negotiation in this matter."
"That may mean sacrificing the colonel and his followers."
"Loyalty can only be truly measured through the sacrifices we are willing to make. The colonel took our payment, so he is now ours to do with as we see fit."
"The position is delicate lord, we will have to make concessions..."
"Breathing room includes time as well as space Takano-san; I would have allies rather than rivals. A concession here and there and suddenly everything else is too comfortably tied in to want to leave."
"What must I do lord?"
"Why, negotiate Takano-san...arrange a meeting with these nations. Use the colonel if you feel it necessary, if not sideline him."
"What latitude do I have lord?"
"You know what we need, what we must have, and what is at stake. This audience is concluded."

And the screen went blank.

***

On the third day the following message was transmitted to teh governments of Kanabia and Hogsweat:

The Ringist Shogunate of Oshima and Izu proposes three-way talks to resolve the East Malaysian issue to be held in the neutral Sarawak town of Miri.

"We accept. Diplomat Ngoc Dien Phu will be attending the talks."

OOC: Hogsweat accepted my claim, originally.

We look forward to greeting Mr Phu in Miri; representing Ringist interests will be foreign minister Takano Miki.

OOC: No I didn't.

We will send Secretary of State Jack Grane to discuss matters with you over the Sabah/Sarawak incident.

OOC: No I didn't.

We will send Secretary of State Jack Grane to discuss matters with you over the Sabah/Sarawak incident.

OOC: ?

In thread http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=359020

YES! NORTH BORNEO!
*Hogsweat's Malaysian family live in N.Borneo*

Oh ah... so I did. Crap.

OOC: I'm a little tied down at present, so feel free to Rp sending the diplomats to the conference and I'll jump in when I'm free

OOC: I have a suggestion. Oshima and Izu rules Sarawak, and I rule Sabah. Except, Sabah still stays in Kanabia's commonwealth, meaning without his permission I can't use it for military offensives, etc etc.

That suggestion most evidently completely satisfies our requirements in the region; furthermore were such a proposal accepted, The Ringist Shogunate would be keen to develop enduring ties to both your nations in the interests of local cooperation and the maintenance of regional stability.

We have several further conditions we would like to present.

1. Unconditional use of all ports (Including airfields) in Sarawak and Sabah if necessary for Kanabian civilian and military operations, medium sized Kanabian naval bases to be built in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu and submarine pens in Bintulu and Tawau.
2. Strategic air-force bases to be built in Sandakan and Sibu. (No nuclear weapons to be stored in these facilities, we have none)
3. Kanabian rights over 25% of the oil and gas reserves in both regions, mainly centered around Brunei. This figure and the exact terms of exploitation are negotiable.
4. Guarantee on democratic regional government for both areas.
5. Guarantee on unrestricted railway access from west to east Brunei.
6. Sustainable exploitation of rainforests, IE. No slash and burn logging unless absolutely necessary for urban expansion.
7. Nothern Borneo shall remain a nuclear-free zone.

We have several further conditions we would like to present.

1. Unconditional use of all ports (Including airfields) in Sarawak and Sabah if necessary for Kanabian civilian and military operations, medium sized Kanabian naval bases to be built in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu and submarine pens in Bintulu and Tawau.
2. Strategic air-force bases to be built in Sandakan and Sibu. (No nuclear weapons to be stored in these facilities, we have none)
3. Kanabian rights over 25% of the oil and gas reserves in both regions, mainly centered around Brunei. This figure and the exact terms of exploitation are negotiable.
4. Guarantee on democratic regional government for both areas.
5. Guarantee on unrestricted railway access from west to east Brunei.
6. Sustainable exploitation of rainforests, IE. No slash and burn logging unless absolutely necessary for urban expansion.
7. Nothern Borneo shall remain a nuclear-free zone.

1&2: Provided our nations conclude some form of mutual defence and non aggression pact, we have no objections to these proposals.
5&6: No objections
7: O&I uses non nuclear deterrents, so once gain no objection.

4: It is common practice for foreign dependent regions to be granted a fair degree of home rule, however it is not our custom to allow undue restrictions on the rights of the Shogunate. We should add that the Ringist Shogunate is firmly against either racism or discrimination (positive orr negative) and does not believe in trampling a citizen's rights for no reason.
3: Providing agreement can be reached on point 4, the Shogunate would in return be willing to accept point 3 as stands.

1&2: Provided our nations conclude some form of mutual defence and non aggression pact, we have no objections to these proposals.

Fine. Though we traditionally only ally with socialist nations (there are some exceptions), if you are willing, then we will sign a mutual protection pact.

4: It is common practice for foreign dependent regions to be granted a fair degree of home rule, however it is not our custom to allow undue restrictions on the rights of the Shogunate. We should add that the Ringist Shogunate is firmly against either racism or discrimination (positive orr negative) and does not believe in trampling a citizen's rights for no reason.

As long as on some level there is a system of elected representatives, at the very least for citizens to express concerns, this is acceptable. As long as human rights are respected.

(OOC: Hey, even the USSR had elections :))

Fine. Though we traditionally only ally with socialist nations (there are some exceptions), if you are willing, then we will sign a mutual protection pact.

We are more than willing to do so.

For the record, Ringism is more of a cultural phenomenon than a true political ideology, and hence doesn't have much of an opinion vis-a-vis 'standard' forms of government.


As long as on some level there is a system of elected representatives, at the very least for citizens to express concerns, this is acceptable. As long as human rights are respected.

(OOC: Hey, even the USSR had elections :))

The ranks of local government in O&I are already filled by the population using whatever system is customary for them, be it democratic election, meritocratic selection or simple seniority; thus village headmen, town mayors and local and district magistrates would all be chosen by the communities they supervise (with basic guidlines of course).

High level government is the preserve of Shogunate officials. However, in view of the local identity of Sarawak, the Shogun might establish direct rule with himself as Raja; in this case the standard shogunate structures would be circumvented, and furthermore it would be considered 'proper' for a body of local individuals to exist in an advisory capacity to assist the Raja or his viceroy.

As to human rights, quite frankly as long as people respect the state, are law abiding and obedient, the Shogunate does not consider it expedient to interfere in people's day-to-day lives.

So, to wrap these negotiations up:

The Treaty of Miri

1. Sarawak to be recognised as a sovereign territory of Oshima and Izu
2. Sabah to be recognised as a territory of Hogsweat within the Commonwealth of Kanabia
3. Oshima and Izu to enter into a mutual defence pact to further the maintenance of stability in northern Borneo
4. The military of Kanabia is understood to have unconditional access to port and airfield facilities in Sabah and Sarawak, including the right to construct strategic non-nuclear facilities at Sibu and Sandakan
5. Kanabia to receive 25% of oil and gas revenues from Sabah and Sarawak
6. Unrestricted rail access between west and east Brunei is hereby guaranteed
7. A democratic regional government to be maintained in Sabah
8. A democratically elected advisory body to be established in Sarawak
9. Standards for sustainable development of rainforest areas to be enforced throughout northern Borneo.
10. Nuclear weapons to be permanently excluded from the territories of northern Borneo.

***
Now, if these terms are found to be in order, we recommend that this treaty be passed to our respective governments for immediate ratification.

We agree to the terms in order.

Before ratifying, we would like written adknowledgement of our right to build naval bases in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, as well as submarine pens in Bintulu and Tawau.

OOC: I'm difficult, I know :p

Ach! We would agree.

Before ratifying, we would like written adknowledgement of our right to build naval bases in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, as well as submarine pens in Bintulu and Tawau.

OOC: I'm difficult, I know :p

Agreed.

OOC: It's perfectly proper to be precise ;)

Then the treaty shall be ratified! We welcome our new allies Oshima and Izu.

Huzzah. O and I, I got HP to update the list so that you own Sarawak.

OOC: Ringists! I knew it was an evil well/video viral thing!

Excellent! Our sincerest thanks to our friends in Kanabia and Hogsweat.

OOC: Ringists! I knew it was an evil well/video viral thing!

Well apart from Mount Mihara and camellias, what else is Izu-Oshima famous for! ;)

Crazy Psychics? So is everyone turning into Sadako, ala Spiral? :P

Crazy Psychics? So is everyone turning into Sadako, ala Spiral? :P

Oi! Who are you calling crazy!!!!! You are referring to the relations of our glorious leader ;)

And no, sadly there are no mass outbreaks of Sadako; we must show some restraint...

The Imperium of Chronosia realises this attack for what it is; heresy. This Ringism, is obviously a ploy, a false religion and movement that will not be allowed to spread. The Inquisition will be deployed if further hostility is not ceased.
OOC: :P

The Ringist Shogunate assures Chronosia that its mission is one of international peace; besides we draw attention to the fact that a settlement has been reached which protects the human rights of the local population; including their right to religious freedom.
After all, one man's heresy is another's legitimate faith...

In faith, there is only the Emperor.
The people of Chronosia are glad that an agreement has been reached; and hope that the people and their rights remain Human; or we will not hesitate in purging the Xenos.

In faith, there is only the Emperor.
The people of Chronosia are glad that an agreement has been reached; and hope that the people and their rights remain Human; or we will not hesitate in purging the Xenos.

One could ask whether any of us are truly human...perhaps our governments should establish formal relations so as to better continue our philosophical musings on the nature of human evolution...

Perhaps....By Imperial Edict I invite a member of the Shogunate to the Imperial Palace, to open these relations and continue our debate.
Chronosia out.

Excellent; we shall dispatch a representative tomorrow in another thread.
Until then we wish the Chronosians a good night...