One of Dr. Wee’s first moments of international fame took place during the second portion of his tenure at The Straits Times. In an exclusive interview in April 1966 with Dr. Wee, Lt.-General Suharto of Indonesia announced his intention to end the Indonesia- Malaysia confrontation. Known as the Konfrontasi, this conflict was started by Indonesia in 1963 in response to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. The Federation had merged Malaya, Singapore, and British colonies in Borneo. The arrangement maintained Britain’s political and military influence in the region, and therefore posed a threat to Indonesia’s independent stance.
These two oil paintings were purchased by Dr. Wee on the day of the interview in Jakarta and mark the important occasion of his dialogue with the Lt.-General.
Dr. Wee’s interview was published on the front page of The Straits Times on 2 May 1966, globally breaking the news that the Konfrontasi would be ending. The headline read, “Suharto: ‘Peace: The sooner the better.’” One month later, Indonesia and Malaysia signed the Bangkok Accord peace treaty. The Jakarta Accord, which re-established relations between the two countries, followed in August of the same year. General Suharto’s declaration marked the end of three years of destabilising violence, and the beginning of largely peaceful relations that continue to this day. Harmony between neighbours remained an important priority in Dr. Wee’s diplomatic life. His autobiography Glimpses and Reflections notes: “If only all of us in the triumvirate - Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore - were to strive for a truly peaceful and brotherly association, the dividends and bonuses are incalculable.