Pre-emptive action needed to counter terror, says expert
In the second and final part of an interview with
malaysiakini
, terrorism expert Dr Rohan Gunaratna who was in Kuala Lumpur on Friday to speak at the invitation of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Isis) outlines the necessary steps to put terrorist organisations 'out of fashion'.
Malaysiakini: Is it beyond dispute that the Bali bombings were carried out by Jemaah Islamiah (JI)?
Rohan: Absolutely. I think we should not entertain even the slightest idea that it was not JI that did the Bali bombing. It would be a fatal mistake to make.
Indonesia was already under intense pressure to take action against Abu Bakar Bashir before the Bali bombings. Why would JI push their luck?
Still the Indonesian government is hesitant to target JI as an organisation. They are only targeting JI members who are directly linked with the Bali attack.
Why do you think that is the case?
It is because the political leaders of that country have put their personal and political interests before national and regional security interests.
Isn't the Indonesian government's concern valid that if Abu Bakar Bashir was arrested before the Bali bombings, there would have been internal unrest?
Absolutely not. In fact it would make Indonesia a more stable place for Indonesians and foreigners. They have the wrong idea that it would spark off unrest. It would only make Indonesia a safer place.
Look at Indonesia how nice they were to those groups but look what happened in (Bali).
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