Fatal tragedy in Bali: An act of global terrorism

Jusuf Wanandi, Founder and member Board of Trustees Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta

After so many denials by government officials and moderate Muslim leaders about possible terrorist acts in Indonesia, a terrible tragedy happened in Bali with the bomb blast last weekend, killing almost 200 people, mostly foreign tourists.

This act will have deep ramifications for the government, for Indonesia and the region of Southeast Asia as a whole. The only way the Indonesian government could overcome its dramatic impact is to be quick and resolute in getting at the perpetrators, bringing them to justice and uprooting their organizations and networks.

The government also has to prevent acts of terrorism from happening in the future by strengthening its security and intelligence capabilities, in cooperation with the international community. They should take steps to eradicate radicalism and extremism by prosecuting their illegal activities, such as having illegal arms, supporting and fomenting regional conflicts and destroying other people's property, like nightclubs and karaoke bars. These are illegal acts according to the Indonesian Criminal Code, and have created an environment of lawlessness and conflict where terrorism can flourish.

So far the radicals have been able to get away with these activities because the government is very weak. The police has been compromised, and some of them are believed to be involved with those radical groups mentioned earlier. The military has been demoralized and divided and are trying to get even with the police and the civilian leadership, because their political and domestic security role has been taken away.

Moderate Muslim leaders have to show more resoluteness against terrorism undertaken in the name of Islam. The moderates have tried to convince the radicals and the extremists to use democratic means, but Bali's terror showed that this will take a long time and a lot of effort. But this approach is also not adequate or fool proof to prevent terrorist acts from happening. The Bali tragedy has put the existence of Indonesia's future under questions.

If the government fails to be firm and resolute, the loss of confidence could bring the economy to a halt while social unrest and regional conflicts could increase. With a weak government, and more than 40 million people un- or under-employed, the country could turn into anarchy and even become a failed state. As Indonesia is perhaps given the last chance, its leaders and people should rally together to support the government's efforts to overcome this tragedy.

The question now is: Can Megawati Soekarnoputri be firm and decisive in fighting terrorism? Can she get to the bottom of this tragic event? She has been hesitant, because she thought that Muslim groups are going to oppose her and even bring her down if she is actively fighting global terrorism.

In fact, moderate Muslim leaders have been publicly encouraging her to take action against trespasses of criminal laws, and to punish the perpetrators. But she never consulted with them or asked for their political support if she has to act decisively against terror.

After Bali, she showed more leadership and decisiveness. She may finally show some toughness. She knows that her credibility and survival are at stake and dependent on her own resoluteness and toughness. Indonesia's future is also at stake.

She has shown some leadership by calling several meetings of her cabinet and security people, unifying the intelligence and forcing the military to support the police in the efforts, as well as inviting the international community to assist in the fight.

Another critical problem is how much power the government, the police and the military should be endowed with to fight terrorism. The Indonesian dilemma could be appreciated if seen in the context of the country's long period of authoritarian rule and the enormous challenges of instituting democratic rules.

A new legal basis to give the police (and the military as a supporting force) the capability to fight terrorism could be acceptable, although some would argue that the existing Criminal Code should be adequate if only there is the political will to act. However, such legal basis should be limited in scope and time, transparent and with full accountability on the civilian government. It should not be of the "anti-subversive" type of regulation that gives blanket authority and power to the police/military and there should be no special institution to enforce it.

The Southeast Asia region is so dependent for its stability and security on Indonesia, which has half of the regions population. The region has followed the instabilities of Indonesia nervously since the crisis and regime change in 1998. Indonesia's reluctance to take action against global terrorism and being in self-denial while the region is enduring the challenge, has greatly diminished Indonesia's influence and leadership in the region.

In taking action after the Bali tragedy, Indonesia should recognize that she has to compensate for past inaction and lax attitudes. Therefore, cooperation with the region (and the international community) in overcoming this new threat should be promoted and strengthened.