Lessons from the Bali blast<\/p>\n
Bantarto Bandoro, Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly', Centre
\nfor Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta, bandoro@csis.or.id<\/p>\n
The deadly explosion in Bali that claimed about 188 lives has
\nadded another big blow to Indonesia as the country is still
\nseemingly very slow to act against terrorist activities. The
\ntragic event came in the wake of several warnings that Indonesia
\nhas become a hotbed for Islamic militants.<\/p>\n
Speculations of the perpetrators ranged from groups related to
\nthe al-Qaeda to \"nationalists\" taking revenge against Australia,
\nwhere most victims came from, given that some blame this country
\nfor East Timor's separation from Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The bombing further exposed Indonesia's weakness in its
\nintelligence networking and highlights the fact that the country
\nis the region's weakest link in the fight against terror.<\/p>\n
Whether the sympathetic visit and statements of President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri will lead to speedy action will depend,
\npartly on her political calculations of the cost and benefits of
\ncrushing a terrorist group allegedly linked to the country's
\nmilitant Muslims.<\/p>\n
Her government relies on the support of the Islamic political
\nparties -- which might strengthen skepticism of the government's
\nstand on terrorism, and damage the image of Megawati's own party
\nas it prepares to compete in the 2004 general election.<\/p>\n
The horrific event of Oct. 12 came at a time when our
\ngovernment is still discussing how it will go about crushing
\nterrorist activities within the country. Although more than a
\nyear late, the government must be commended for embarking on a
\nnew approach in dealing with terrorism.<\/p>\n
Speedy and more coordinated measures against the perpetrators
\nmust immediately be taken by the government if it is to maintain
\npublic confidence. Tougher actions against terror are imperative
\nwithout dragging the government into the trap of terrorism by
\nstate elements, such as past practices of arbitrary abduction of
\nsuspected dissidents.<\/p>\n
The antiterrorism bill is now being debated by legislators,
\nbut the Bali inferno should wipe out sensitivities around fears
\nthat the future law would be used as a state instrument to
\noppress people. The campaign against terror conducted by the
\ngovernment has been welcomed by the public. But its
\nsustainability will most likely depend on how the government
\nreacts to new challenges ahead and the way the public responds to
\nfuture government policy on terrorism. Terrorism may spread to
\nother parts of the country even when the government has adopted a
\nnew antiterror policy.<\/p>\n
The government must be given the full mandate to go ahead and
\nfight terrorism. The mandate should have the following
\ncomponents: (1) make no concession to terrorists and strike no
\ndeals; (2) the right to investigate suspected local terrorist
\ngroups or individuals; (3) isolate and apply pressure on
\ndomestic groups allegedly sponsoring acts of terror; (4) law
\nenforcement without discrimination; (5) the right to apply
\nlimited military force and covert action to preempt or disrupt
\nterrorist acts; and (6) the right to bring the perpetrators to
\njustice for their crime.<\/p>\n
The Bali explosion will remain particularly in the minds of
\nsurvivors. Now it is up to the government to provide security to
\nforeigners and locals, as a reflection of its resoluteness to
\nconduct concrete actions in the face of this clear danger.<\/p>\n
The state-focused concept of security is becoming increasingly
\nless relevant; terrorism is a threat to human security and the
\nantiterror policy of the government must not be executed at the
\nexpense of human security.<\/p>\n
Bali, an unexpected target of terrorists, has no apparent
\nstrategic value, nor was it a favored haunt of al-Qaeda's
\npreferred target, the Americans. But no one can predict what goes
\non in the mind of terrorists. Now that Bali has become a victim
\nsimply reflects that terrorists, whoever they are, are around us.<\/p>\n
Megawati admitted that the bombings were proof that terrorism
\nhad become a real and imminent threat. Such a statement perhaps
\ndid not satisfy the expectations of the international and
\ndomestic public. Concrete and realistic actions are imperative if
\nthe government is to avoid further damage to its reputation and
\ncredibility.<\/p>\n
The Bali attacks were more than just a problem of security and
\nterrorism. Unless this government can successfully address the
\nimminent and real threat of terror, any remaining confidence in
\nIndonesia's business and investment environment will certainly
\nfade away. Tourist-dependent Bali too is now in jeopardy.<\/p>\n
The government's move against terror must not stop in Bali.
\nOfficials must stop denying the presence of terrorist cells or
\nactivities in the country. Such tragic events underscore the
\nimportance of cooperation by all states in the struggle against
\nterrorism. Terrorism is a common threat to humankind and
\ntherefore must be countered by a common strategy, embracing all
\ntypes of measures and all countries.<\/p>\n
The most important lesson is that the tragedy has further
\nstrengthened international perceptions of Indonesia as a very
\nunsafe country, or it may prove the view that Indonesia is a safe
\nhaven for nurturing terrorist activities. The government should
\nnot delay its pursuit of a more aggressive and indiscriminate
\nstrategy against terrorism.<\/p>",
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