History of the Iban people war. At this time Sarawak came under the temporary military administration of the Australian forces, who were particularly prominent in the liberation of Borneo. Sarawak got its own independence from the British on 22 July 1963 while Sabah got its independence on 31 August 1963. On 16 September 1963, the Federation of Malaysia was formed between the Federation of Malaya at that time, Sabah (North Borneo), Sarawak and Singapore. Brunei refused to join the formation of Malaysia and got its independence in 1984 from the British. The Cobbold Commission which surveyed Sarawakians about the formation of Malaysia reported a third
Combat operations in 1965 during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation Combat operations in 1965 during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation The Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation began in early 1963 following Indonesia's opposition to the creation of Malaysia. In December 1964, a build-up of Indonesian forces on the Kalimantan border saw the British government commit significant forces from the UK-based Army Strategic Command and Australia and New Zealand deployed roulement combat forces from West Malaysia to Borneo in 1965–66. In January 1965, the first UK-based units (aside from air defence and special forces) arrived and after six weeks of jungle training, deployed on operations. The 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders arrived first and became the thirteenth