Yudhoyono warns of terror attacks

August 29, 2005

Indonesia's president warned that terrorists could launch an attack in the mostly Muslim nation in the next two months, and ordered security forces to step up surveillance.

"We know the terrorists cells are still active, they are still hiding, recruiting, networking, trying to find new funding and even planning ... for another strike," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at a seminar in Jakarta.

Indonesia has been hit by three deadly bombings in the last three years, the former general noted, and has been "fortunate so far not to experience a major terrorist attack" in 2005.

But he warned of possible attacks in September or October, calling them "special months for terrorism."

Yudhoyono did not elaborate, but the al-Qaeda linked Southeast Asian terror group Jemaah Islamiah has been blamed for the 2002 bombings on Bali island, the 2003 J W Marriott hotel attack and the 2004 Australian embassy blast that together killed 225.

All occurred between August and October.

While police have arrested scores of militants suspected in the bombings, several alleged leaders - including Malaysians Azahari bin Husin and Noordin Mohamed Top - remain at large, Yudhoyono said.

"We are still actively looking for dangerous bomb-makers," the president said, adding that he had instructed the security minister, the head of the intelligence agency and the police chief to step up anti-terror activities.

Despite the threat, Yudhoyono sought to allay concerns that Indonesia, a traditionally moderate Islamic nation with a secular government, was becoming more hardline.

In recent weeks, the country's highest Muslim body has issued a series of religious edicts banning mixed marriages, religious pluralism, and interfaith prayers - unless a Muslim is leading the service.

The fatwa, and a series of attacks on Christian churches, has raised concern about rising fundamentalism.

"You may read from time to time the voice of small radical groups," Yudhoyono said.

"But this voice will not change the fact that mainstream Indonesia will continue to be moderate, tolerant and democratic."

Yudhoyono was elected president of the nation of 220 million last year after vowing to crackdown on terrorism.

Taken from The Sydney Morning Herald