Security remains an issue for President Susilo

Imanuddin Razak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A year has passed since Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono took his oath as Indonesia's sixth president on Oct. 20, 2004.

Security-wise, the past year has proven to be a difficult time for the country's first-ever democratically elected president, with bomb attacks and bomb hoaxes dominating the news.

Police and media reports reveal that there have been more than 100 bomb threats in Jakarta and hundreds more in the regions since the Sept. 9, 2004, blast outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. The police, however, have only managed to arrest two "amateur" bomb hoaxers, but failed to detect and arrest the others who were apparently "professional" ones.

However, the most major blow to the President's credibility to guarantee security and order in the country came only a few days before the first anniversary of his one-year term in office -- the second Bali bombings.

The Bali blasts on Oct. 12, 2002, occurred when Susilo was the chief coordinating security minister -- but this time he is president -- and security-wise, the buck must stop at him.

Unlike the first Bali tragedy, when the police -- with the help of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and several foreign teams -- managed to identify and apprehend those behind the attacks relatively quickly, this time security forces have made little progress after 20 days. Investigators also remain unable, or unwilling, to publicly conclude the motives behind the blasts and what terror network created them.

There has been no explanation for this sluggish response, probably in part because this year's probe does not have the international scrutiny that the first attacks did. It would be good to have some answers soon.

Another domestic security issue is the threat of potentially violent protests in the wake of the government's unpopular decision to drastically increase the fuel prices on Oct. 1. While activities have died down during Ramadhan, several leaders have hinted they will be back after the fasting month ends.

These protests could be considered mere ripples on a sea of discontent or part of a legitimate debate that is unlikely to become unruly. However, large demonstrations still cause traffic jams, hurt businesses and in the long-run increase people's anxiety and stress levels.

One should also remember that Susilo's administration was rocked by an external security issue -- a border dispute with neighboring Malaysia over a marine area off Indonesia's East Kalimantan province, known as Ambalat. The area, which is rich in oil and gas reserves, is claimed by both countries.

The dispute emerged after Malaysia announced it had granted an oil production sharing contract in late February this year to a Dutch firm, while Indonesia had since 1980 declared the area to be part of its territory based on the Djuanda Declaration in 1957, which was in 1959 upheld by the United Nations through its Sea Law Convention. Indonesia had earlier granted oil-drilling concessions in one of the blocks in Ambalat to Italy's ENI and the United States' UNOCAL in 1999.

The border dispute was also a test case for Susilo. Could he maintain the country's integral territory? Fresh in people's minds was the failure of the Megawati Soekarnoputri administration, who lost the Sipadan-Ligitan islands to Malaysia after a ruling from the International Court of Justice on Dec. 17, 2002.

Both countries have toned down their comments, pulled back their warships and agreed to settle the Ambalat dispute diplomatically. However, expectations among the public remain high that Indonesia does not lose territory again.

These domestic and external security threats are urgent homework for Susilo, who earlier won praise for the way he handled the first Bali blast. The Indonesian people are expecting similar quick successes in the latest investigation, especially now that Susilo is president.

He will also be expected to settle the Ambalat dispute within a short time frame. Many people note that Indonesia lost the Sipadan-Ligitan case in part because it dragged its feet on the issue.

Aside from these major threats, sustainable security in Aceh under the ongoing peace process supervised by the international Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) should also be a priority of a Susilo government. Any failure here to keep the peace could trigger a repetition of the 1999 split of the former East Timor province from Indonesia.

And last but not least, the President should pay attention to the potential for violent protests. Ignoring minor problems can create major ones.