Lessons from the Bali blast

Lessons from the Bali blast

Bantarto Bandoro, Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly', Centre
for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta, bandoro@csis.or.id

The deadly explosion in Bali that claimed about 188 lives has
added another big blow to Indonesia as the country is still
seemingly very slow to act against terrorist activities. The
tragic event came in the wake of several warnings that Indonesia
has become a hotbed for Islamic militants.

Speculations of the perpetrators ranged from groups related to
the al-Qaeda to "nationalists" taking revenge against Australia,
where most victims came from, given that some blame this country
for East Timor's separation from Indonesia.

The bombing further exposed Indonesia's weakness in its
intelligence networking and highlights the fact that the country
is the region's weakest link in the fight against terror.

Whether the sympathetic visit and statements of President
Megawati Soekarnoputri will lead to speedy action will depend,
partly on her political calculations of the cost and benefits of
crushing a terrorist group allegedly linked to the country's
militant Muslims.

Her government relies on the support of the Islamic political
parties -- which might strengthen skepticism of the government's
stand on terrorism, and damage the image of Megawati's own party
as it prepares to compete in the 2004 general election.

The horrific event of Oct. 12 came at a time when our
government is still discussing how it will go about crushing
terrorist activities within the country. Although more than a
year late, the government must be commended for embarking on a
new approach in dealing with terrorism.

Speedy and more coordinated measures against the perpetrators
must immediately be taken by the government if it is to maintain
public confidence. Tougher actions against terror are imperative
without dragging the government into the trap of terrorism by
state elements, such as past practices of arbitrary abduction of
suspected dissidents.

The antiterrorism bill is now being debated by legislators,
but the Bali inferno should wipe out sensitivities around fears
that the future law would be used as a state instrument to
oppress people. The campaign against terror conducted by the
government has been welcomed by the public. But its
sustainability will most likely depend on how the government
reacts to new challenges ahead and the way the public responds to
future government policy on terrorism. Terrorism may spread to
other parts of the country even when the government has adopted a
new antiterror policy.

The government must be given the full mandate to go ahead and
fight terrorism. The mandate should have the following
components: (1) make no concession to terrorists and strike no
deals; (2) the right to investigate suspected local terrorist
groups or individuals; (3) isolate and apply pressure on
domestic groups allegedly sponsoring acts of terror; (4) law
enforcement without discrimination; (5) the right to apply
limited military force and covert action to preempt or disrupt
terrorist acts; and (6) the right to bring the perpetrators to
justice for their crime.

The Bali explosion will remain particularly in the minds of
survivors. Now it is up to the government to provide security to
foreigners and locals, as a reflection of its resoluteness to
conduct concrete actions in the face of this clear danger.

The state-focused concept of security is becoming increasingly
less relevant; terrorism is a threat to human security and the
antiterror policy of the government must not be executed at the
expense of human security.

Bali, an unexpected target of terrorists, has no apparent
strategic value, nor was it a favored haunt of al-Qaeda's
preferred target, the Americans. But no one can predict what goes
on in the mind of terrorists. Now that Bali has become a victim
simply reflects that terrorists, whoever they are, are around us.

Megawati admitted that the bombings were proof that terrorism
had become a real and imminent threat. Such a statement perhaps
did not satisfy the expectations of the international and
domestic public. Concrete and realistic actions are imperative if
the government is to avoid further damage to its reputation and
credibility.

The Bali attacks were more than just a problem of security and
terrorism. Unless this government can successfully address the
imminent and real threat of terror, any remaining confidence in
Indonesia's business and investment environment will certainly
fade away. Tourist-dependent Bali too is now in jeopardy.

The government's move against terror must not stop in Bali.
Officials must stop denying the presence of terrorist cells or
activities in the country. Such tragic events underscore the
importance of cooperation by all states in the struggle against
terrorism. Terrorism is a common threat to humankind and
therefore must be countered by a common strategy, embracing all
types of measures and all countries.

The most important lesson is that the tragedy has further
strengthened international perceptions of Indonesia as a very
unsafe country, or it may prove the view that Indonesia is a safe
haven for nurturing terrorist activities. The government should
not delay its pursuit of a more aggressive and indiscriminate
strategy against terrorism.