Indonesia's terrorism record

Bombing after bombing in our country has produced nothing but perpetrators telling us that their resentment against the U.S., its allies and unbelievers is the main reason for their actions.

The unlawful invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq together with "western oppression of Muslims worldwide" are often cited as their main sources of discontent. The most recent video footage of a terrorist singing the same old song is just further confirmation.

Despite all this, it is amazing to read all kinds of conspiracy theories insinuating the involvement of foreign intelligence agencies. "We must be alert. There is a possibility that this is an international conspiracy to keep terrorism alive in Indonesia," said Indonesian Muslim Brotherhood Movement (GPMI) chairman Ahmad Sumargono recently in reaction to Omar al-Farouq's escape. More recently, the chairman of Muhammadiyah and secretary-general of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Din Syamsuddin, stated, "If possible, he (Noordin Top) must be caught alive, and hopefully he can explain what exactly the motives behind his actions here are," I am quite sure the tape made that pretty clear. I wonder how many more versions of intolerance and blind hatred are needed to be expressed in public to finally call a spade a spade?

Terrorism is being kept alive in Indonesia and the longer the country stays in denial, the more often countries who actually do care for the safety of their citizens will issue travel warnings.

This may annoy our Vice President when he attempts to ridicule such moves by saying that the terrorists can strike anywhere in the world.

Well, maybe it is time to reflect on the following. How many countries would "take pride" in the simply countless bombings of civilians, houses of worship and foreign offices over the last eight years alone.

How many countries have to deal on a daily basis with possible disintegration because of communal, ethnic and religious strife? How many countries can boast a death toll of no less than 25,000 in Maluku, Central Sulawesi, Papua, Aceh and Timor Leste in less than 10 years?

Our country is not one of many in these respects. It is pretty much in a league of its own! All this reminds me of a time when news reports worldwide were monopolized by the triple B's of Belfast, Beirut and Boom. I agree that terrorism can strike anywhere in the world. But like the triple B's reminded us of there and then, today they remind us of here and now, of Bali, Batu and Boom.

ASHER TAURAN, Jakarta