ABC AUSTRALIA, 16/10/2002
INDONESIA: Laskar Jihad closed just hours before Bali blasts
One of Indonesia's largest and most militant militias, the Laskar Jihad, has been
publicly disbanded in a surprise development which took place just hours before the
Bali bombings. Analysts say the radical group had lost the backing of an influential
body of islamic clerics. But perhaps more importantly, hardliners in the Indonesian
military accused of supporting the Laskar Jihad, may also have withdrawn their
backing.
 listen
Presenter/Interviewer: Tricia Fitzgerald
Speakers: Mr Lambang Trijono, Gadja Mada University; Jaffar Umar thalib, leader of
the Laskar Jihad army
FITZGERALD: At a court case in Jakarta a few months ago, Laskar Jihad or Holy War
followers rallied behind their leader Jaffar Umar Thalib.
He stood accused of fermenting religious hatred in Ambon and across the Maluku
Islands and of insulting President Megawati, offences he claimed were trumped up by
his Christian enemies.
The charges came two years after the Laskar Jihad leader dispatched thousands of
white robed armed warriors to the Maluku Islands where they supported local Muslims
in a conflict against Christians.
That conflict resulted in the deaths of more than six thousand people and forced three
quarters of a million civilians to flee their homes.
Mr Lambang Trijono is a specialist in Islamic extremists at the Gadja Mada
University, in Yogjakarta , where the militia's headquarters are. He says the Laskar
Jihad members were told Saturday the militia was disbanding.
LAMBANG: "In the evening...on Saturday evening they declared themselves that they
predict that the Laskar Jihad will be disbanding. The declaration is not declared by the
chief of Laskar Jihad, but by the representative of the chief in the central
organisation."
FITZGERALD: In Jogjakarta?
LAMBANG: "Yes Jogjakarta."
FITZGERALD: So did he call the members to the office and then told them the
organisation was disbanding?
LAMBANG: "Yes and then distributed a kind of paper - two pieces of paper and then
distributed them to their members. "
FITZGERALD: The Laskar Jihad has gone on to lead conflicts against Christians in
Indonesian Sulawesi and Papua. It's partially funded by an international body of
Islamic clerics or Ulamas.
Mr Lambang says Saturday's closure came after the clerics withdrew support from
Jaffar Umar Thalib because he was in conflict with the Indonesian Government.
LAMBANG: "Because their consensus among Ulama that during the confrontation
with the regime or with the government and the chief of the Laskar Jihad have had
confrontation or conflict with the govenment."
FITZGERALD: Donors in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and an Islamic community in New
Jersey in the United States were financing the Laskar Jihad through the international
Ulama's body.
But Mr Lambang says powerful retired generals including former armed services chief
General Wiranto were also assisting and equipping the Laskar Jihad.
LAMBANG: "Hardliners...or what I call hardliners in the military factions and also
supplied the weapon and also support...not money but support politically ...giving
guarantee that the Laskar Jihad will be protected by the hardliners of the military, so
that kind of support. So political support and also kind of infrastructure support like a
weapon and so on. "
FITZGERALD: If hardline Generals were involved in the Laskar Jihad, then was the
abrupt closure of the group just hours before the Bali bombings, more than a
coincidence?
Especially given that elements of the military may have grudges to bear against
Australia, because of its role in helping to secure East Timor's independence.
LAMBANG: "Yes, that is suspicious, yes very suspicious. It makes sense to make a
connection like that, because before they even dissolved ...you know....yes very
suspicious actually."
FITZGERALD: Mr Lambang says the alleged high level military support being offered
to the Laskar Jihad will ensure its leaders and supporters are protected from
prosecution.
LAMBANG: Ah it's very difficult to predict, but you know in Indonesia you sort of got
patron-client relationship ...followers and leaders. I think the followers of Laskar Jihad
will dissolve - again they'll ask those in the government who used to support them to
protect them."
16/10/2002 | ABC Radio Australia News
© 2001 Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
