Singapore's deputy prime minister sees rise of extremist Islam in
Singapore's deputy prime minister sees rise of extremist Islam in Indonesia a problem for Southeast Asia[
Associated Press Singapore
Singapore's deputy prime minister warned on Saturday that a rise in extremist Islam in neighboring Indonesia could have "profound implications" for the city-state and other countries in Southeast Asia.
Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted that Islamic parties were gaining influence in Indonesia, and urged President Megawati Soekarnoputri to stick to what he called her "secular- nationalist" policies.
"Since independence, Indonesians know that if religious fanaticism gains ascendancy, it will tear apart the social fabric and divide their diverse and pluralistic nation," Lee said in a speech.
"If the world view of Indonesia or its leaders shift, it will have profound implications for Singapore and the region," he said.
Singapore enjoyed good relations with Indonesia under former dictator Soeharto, who clamped down on radical Islamic groups before he was ousted amid riots in 1998.
Since then, radical Islamic organizations have enjoyed greater freedom, but still struggle to attract support in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country.
Stability in Indonesia's vast archipelago is crucial, because a hostile Indonesia, with its sheer size, would be a major problem, Lee said. The country has 210 million people.
Religious extremism was virtually unheard of in tightly controlled Singapore until police in the past two years arrested over 30 alleged members of al-Qaeda-linked Jamaah Islamiyah - a militant group, said to have roots in Indonesia, which allegedly plotted to blow up Western embassies and other targets here.
The group's alleged founder, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, is now on trial in Jakarta for treason.
"If a terrorist attack ever happens in Singapore, there is a grave risk that non-Muslims will mistrust all Muslims, and Muslims will in turn feel insecure," Lee said.
About 15 percent of Singaporeans are Muslims. The others are mostly Buddhist, Taoist or Christian.