Indonesia cleric slams Aussie first strike idea

He said Howard’s controversial affirmation of Australia’s right to launch a pre-emptive strike in another country if it found out that militants planned an attack was a ‘‘crazy idea’’ — echoing the outrage expressed by Southeast Asian governments.

‘‘Australian people, God willing, have no problem with Islam. However, usually, Australian leaders do influence their people a lot to make enemy of Islam, especially the incumbent Prime Minister,’’ Bashir said from a hospital bed in Jakarta, where he is being questioned by police.

‘‘So, if John Howard’s stance is followed by people of Australia, you have to know that there will be war in the world and God willing Australia will be destroyed instantly due to the crazy idea of its PM,’’ he added.

The frail and elderly cleric is being questioned by Indonesian police with regard to a bombing campaign against Christian churches. The newspaper said it submitted questions to Bashir through an aide who recorded the answers for the Herald.

The Australian government has suggested the UN charter ought to be reformed to take account of a new era of intra-state conflict in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US.