Bali146;s chill factor

Three years can dull the memory of holiday-makers. The horror of the 2002 attacks had evidently lost their power to intimidate those looking for a holiday break in an island paradise. But the message from Bali-II is this: no government can afford to let its guard down, because terror, unlike lightening, can strike twice.

That Southeast Asia has become a base and target of Islamic extremism has long been recognised. Indonesia has borne the brunt of many an attack, with hardly a year going by without its share of terror. The Bali bombings of 8217;02, were followed by the attack on Jakarta8217;s Marriott hotel in 8217;03, and the targeting of the Australian embassy last September. Each of these attacks, including the latest one, bear the footprint of the Jemaah Islamiyah JI, which is believed to have links with the Al-Qaida. The Indonesian government made the initial mistake of allowing it a free rein for political reasons. The first Bali attacks came as a reality check, after which were attempts to bring some JI operatives to justice, including its supposed spiritual leader, the radical cleric Abu Bakar Ba8217;ayar. But these efforts are clearly inadequate. The terror machinery of the JI is intact and running.

Here, then, is a reminder that the war against terror remains as relevant today as it has ever been. Indonesia may have embarked upon the path to democracy, its conflict with East Timor may now be history, the Free Aceh rebels may have agreed to a peace process, the economy may have got a new resilience, but the country remains as insecure as ever. This is a challenge facing not just Indonesia, not just Southeast Asia, but the world. Indonesia needs assistance in its battle against its terrorisers. The reign of groups like the JI, which has just proved its chilling capacity to strike at will in any area of its choosing, has to end.