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A hero beyond his turf?

EVERY COUNTRY is on guard, every security agency is on alert. Singapore and Malaysia are no exception. Both countries have busted suspected terrorist cells, arresting several persons who were plotting terrorist acts. In the post-September 11 scenario, where the United States points to an extensive network of the Islamist Al-Qaeda network, no country can afford to take terrorist threats lightly.

While in Malaysia there have been earlier arrests of suspected terrorists belonging to the Kumpulan Mujahideen Malaysia (KMM), the detention of 15 militants belonging to the Jemaah Islamiah is a first for Singapore.

On January 5, the Singapore Government announced the detention of the Jemaah Islamiah men, saying they had been nabbed between December 9 and 24. In the same period, Malaysian authorities arrested 13 Islamist militants.

The Singapore statement made it clear that the arrested persons had conducted ``active surveillance'' of establishments in the city-state for terrorist bombing.

They had also tried to procure materials for bomb construction including large quantities of ammonium nitrate. Possible targets included the American embassy.

There is little doubt that action by Singapore's security agencies has nipped the activities of the terrorist cell. But the arrest itself exposes the vulnerability of a country like Singapore where safety and security are taken for granted by citizens and foreign residents alike.

According to the Singapore Government, ``several of those arrested had been to Afghanistan where they received short periods of training in Al-Qaeda terrorist camps''. ``Key figures of the Jemaah Islamiah, including several of those presently in custody, have links to militant elements in Malaysia and Indonesia.''

Clearly, there appears to be a larger Islamist militant plan for South-East Asia. Militants in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are reported to have close links - a cause for concern given that the economies of the three nations are closely linked and people come and go easily from one country to another. It is evident that the Taliban-Al-Qaeda rule in Afghanistan had provided considerable space for Islamist militants from different parts of the world not just to receive military training but also for indoctrination.

The international community, by turning a blind eye to who controlled Afghanistan, has permitted the training of a large number of militants and terrorists. While some have been nabbed in Singapore and Malaysia, the possibility of ``sleepers'' in other parts of the world cannot be ruled out.

The Philippines (the Abu Sayyaf particularly) and Indonesia are already on American radar screens for possible extension of anti-terrorist actions. While referring to possible direct support for the Philippine military in actions against the Abu Sayyaf, the U.S. Deputy Defence Secretary, Paul Wolfowitz, said recently: ``You see the potential for Muslim extremists and Muslim terrorists to link up with those Muslim groups in Indonesia and find a little corner for themselves in a country that's otherwise quite unfriendly to them.''

In Indonesia, the Megawati Sukarnoputri Government has, so far, not shown the appetite to move against Islamist militants, who continue to issue statements. Even some of the more moderate groups have urged the Government not to arrest the ``mujahideen''.

Obviously, in this battle against extremist elements, the cooperation of the Indonesian Government is critical. If Jakarta fails to take action against identified militant elements, then the process of cracking down on such groups in neighbouring countries may prove difficult.

In an editorial, The Straits Times said: ``...regional (terrorist) networks cannot be unravelled unless ASEAN Governments cooperate, exchange intelligence and coordinate security sweeps.

It must be clearly understood that any South-East Asian country that does not pull its weight in this battle will be providing refuge to terrorists, and will rightly become the object of international opprobrium. Singapore is fortunate to have a partner in Malaysia.''

For multi-religious nations such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, the need to control extremist trends cannot be over-emphasised. While Singapore has a sizable Malay/Muslim minority, the Chinese constitute about 30 per cent of Malaysia's population.

As Singapore stepped up security, the Government has assured its citizens that there is no cause for panic. Even after September 11, the Singapore Government had beefed up security - armed guards could be seen inside Changi airport.

Given the inter-linked nature of the threats, there is little doubt that countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines must cooperate in the battle against terrorism.

And, as is evident from Mr. Wolfowitz's remarks, Southeast Asia is a priority area for American anti-terrorist attention.

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