SBY and Jamaah Islamiyah

SBY and Jamaah Islamiyah

Politically, it would be decidedly risky for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to be seen to be outlawing Jamaah Islamiyah -- the name translates as "Islamic community" -- at Canberra's behest. Besides, Jamaah Islamiyah is a movement rather than an organization, and the bombings may be the work of splinter groups acting independently. Australian calls for its banning are a needless diversion from what Canberra itself regards as the main game, which is to build on the close practical co-operation between Australian and Indonesian police and security agencies, and to intensify the campaign against terrorism in the southern Philippines and Malaysia. -- The Sydney Morning Herald