dismantled a month later when Sukarno, President of Indonesia, adopted a policy of Konfrontasi (Indonesian, "confrontation") with the newly constituted Malaysia. The Indonesians claimed that the Malayan Government had announced on 29 August that Malaysia would be formed on 16 September 1963, before the result of the referendum of the wishes of the people of Borneo was known. The proclamation of Malaysia was postponed until September 16 to give the UN team time to report. The UN team reported in favor of Malaysia, but the Philippines and Indonesia refused to recognize the new federation. On 16 September, Malaysia severed diplomatic ties with the two countries. Indonesia retaliated by cutting off trade relations with the new nation. The US, under John F. Kennedy, appeared to have given encouragement to Maphilindo as it had hoped that it would reduce the chances of Indonesia from turning communist. See also Malayness Bumiputera Pribumi Malay world Malay Archipelago East Indies Malay race Nusantara Greater Indonesia References Formation of Malaysia Guided Democracy in Indonesia History of the Philippines (1946–1965) International organizations based in Asia History of Malaysia since Independence Proposed political unions National unifications Malay people