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.