RI needs to send clear signals on terrorism<\/p>\n
Jusuf Wanandi, Member, Board of Trustees, Centre for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Great anxiety and disbelief were expressed by the
\ninternational community when Indonesia's national agenda on
\nglobal terrorism was \"hijacked\" by a small group of Muslims.
\nImmediately following Sept. 11, President Megawati Soekarnoputri
\nmade a clear and principled statement condemning the act.<\/p>\n
She was determined not to cancel her official visit to the
\nU.S. and became the first head of state to meet with President
\nGeorge W. Bush after the attacks. During the visit she reiterated
\nher abhorrence against the barbaric action. In a joint
\ncommunique, she asked Bush to give due attention to the feelings
\nof Muslims and to make use of the United Nations in the fight
\nagainst global terrorism.<\/p>\n
However, Indonesia's policy soon appeared to shift towards
\nanti-Americanism, when the government did not react firmly
\nagainst the calls by a small radical group to expel Americans as
\nwell as the breaking off of diplomatic relations with the U.S.<\/p>\n
The daily demonstrations which lasted some three weeks in
\nfront of the American Embassy in Jakarta gave the impression that
\nthe government allowed the extremist groups to dictate
\nIndonesia's policies on the fight against global terrorism. The
\nmedia, especially the international media, exaggerated the
\nsituation, and the public statements by then U.S. Ambassador
\nRobert S. Gelbard did not help the situation because they were
\nconsidered arrogant.<\/p>\n
Informed Indonesians and the international public opinion
\nalike wondered about the silence on the part of mainstream
\nMuslims. Perhaps their views were largely ignored by the media.
\nAlso, the government did not appear to consult with them. It was
\nonly at the end of October that mainstream Muslim leaders, both
\nfrom Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, appeared to become more
\nassertive in expressing their views on the issue.. More balanced
\nreactions and policies emerged since then although the damage had
\nbeen done.<\/p>\n
The views of mainstream Muslims are that terrorism, as
\npropagated by Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda, cannot be condoned by
\nMuslims. The calls for \"sweeping\" against Americans and the
\ncampaign for breaking relations with the U.S. are against
\nIndonesia's national interest. Muslim solidarity is to be
\nexpressed in the form of humanitarian aid to the people of
\nAfghanistan. Jihad, by sending fighters to Afghanistan, is a
\nmisguided act and efforts and resources should be directed to
\nresolving Indonesia's own problems, namely poverty.<\/p>\n
They also informed the public about the different nature of
\nTaliban's school of Islam that was unfamiliar to the public here.
\nHowever, they made it very clear that they could not accept the
\nbombings of Afghanistan because of the impact on innocent people
\nand because the rationale for doing so was not impeccable.<\/p>\n
It was only after the strong reactions by mainstream Muslim
\nleaders that the government began to clamp down on the actions by
\nthose small groups that disturbed public order. The government
\nstated its readiness to participate in peacekeeping in
\nAfghanistan as requested by the UN. However, these new signals
\nhave been rather late to reverse Indonesia's damaged image.<\/p>\n
The lessons for the government are clear. It needs to be more
\nhands-on and be pro-active on the issue of terrorism. It also
\nneeds to take greater initiatives in the regional context, in the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations or the wider East Asia.<\/p>\n
This issue is urgent in ASEAN, given that this region has been
\nknown to become host to local, regional and international
\nterrorist networks. Regional cooperation amongst the police, the
\nintelligence, and the Army chiefs of staff must be strengthened.
\nThis is the real meaning of our contribution to the international
\ncoalition.<\/p>\n
After all, each government has first to look after its own
\nthreat of terrorism through public education and information
\nabout the threat of local, regional and global terrorism to the
\nnational interest, by freezing bank accounts of terrorist groups
\nsuch as al-Qaeda, to close down terrorist training centers, and
\nto give political support to the international coalition against
\nglobal terrorism.<\/p>\n
Another important lesson following these last few month is the
\nneed for mainstream Muslim leaders to take the lead in guiding
\nthe Muslim communities in dealing with the issue of terrorism.
\nThey also have a critical role in showing that Islam in Indonesia
\nis a religion of peace, cooperation, openness and humanity.<\/p>\n
There is a strong belief in many quarters within and outside
\nof the country that a modern, open, democratic and economically
\nviable Indonesia can become a model for other Muslim countries.
\nIndeed, Indonesia can become a model where Islam has self-
\nconfidence and is on par with the West and other developed
\nnations.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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