http://www.theage.com.au/world/indonesian-leader-vows-to-tackle-militancy-20090918-fvd2.html


Indonesian leader vows to tackle militancy 
TOM ALLARD, JAKARTA
September 19, 2009 
INDONESIA'S President has vowed to launch a new effort to tackle the 
''ignorance and poverty'' that underpins terrorism.

He has cautioned that the death of militant leader Noordin Mohammed Top did not 
mean the scourge of violent extremism was dead.

As militant Islamist websites quickly declared Noordin and the three others who 
died alongside him martyrs, the vast majority of Indonesians were delighted by 
the demise of the man who has terrorised the country for seven years.

Noordin's death occurred a day before Indonesians set off for one of Islam's 
most important holidays of the year, Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of 
Ramadan. The day is also known as the ''day of victory''.

But President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was not claiming outright victory, even 
if the terrorist threat had been ''seriously reduced'' with Noordin's death.

''Paralysing [Noordin's cell] just means we have won a battle, but by 
prevention we will win the war against terrorism,'' he said. ''We have to save 
our country, our people, our community and our young generation from the 
temptation to involve themselves in terrorism.''

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd joined Dr Yudhoyono in warning against complacency. 
''This is welcome news,'' he said. ''This man has been a mass murderer, he's 
been responsible for the murder of Australians and I congratulate the 
Indonesians on their success.''

But Mr Rudd said the operation ''doesn't leave us in a position where we can 
feel complacent about the future . Jemaah Islamiah is still alive and well, 
al-Qaeda is still alive and well.''

''We cannot afford to be complacent and I believe the Indonesians fully 
understand and accept that themselves, given their . recent experiences.''

Indonesian counter-terrorism officials have told The Age that the country is 
planning a campaign to stop radical preachers from advocating a distorted view 
of Islam that says mass-casualty attacks on civilians are a justified response 
to real and perceived injustices faced by Muslims.

As well as new laws carrying penalties for incitement of violence, the Ministry 
of Religion is working with Muslim scholars to develop a detailed religious 
rebuttal of radical interpretations of verses in the Koran used to justify 
terrorism.

Mainstream religious organisations such as the Indonesia Ulema Council, 
Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulema will be drafted to help promote the program.

Noordin was blamed for masterminding a string of attacks across Indonesia, 
including the 2003 bombing of the J. W. Marriott Hotel, the Australian embassy 
attack, the 2005 Bali attacks and July's twin hotel blasts. He also attended 
early planning meetings that led to the first Bali bombings in 2002.

He had evaded capture on numerous occasions but police said on Thursday that 
fingerprint analysis showed he was one of the four men killed in the Solo raid.

More accurate DNA analysis is expected to be released today, a police spokesman 
said.

Ordinary Indonesians celebrated Noordin's demise.

''This is a sweet gift for Indonesia,'' said Denys Cahyadi, who runs a small 
business-card shop.

''Syukur Alhamdulillah [thanks and praise be to God], as the Muslims say it,'' 
said Nyoman Ayu. ''We, the Balinese, are relieved he's dead.''

But the radical website Muslim Daily News said the four dead militants would 
''reach their glorious space with Allah as syuhada [martyrs] on this holy 
month''.

A comment posted on the website inilah.com called for revenge. ''We will avenge 
them,'' it said. ''Jihad is not a game of chess, King is dead and game over. 
The Emir [the commander, Noordin] is dead. Jihad continues. Winning and losing 
will alternate.''

Noordin's relatives flew from Malaysia to Jakarta to collect his body. They 
want to bury him in his home village near Johor Bahru in Malaysia.


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