Indonesian Hard-liners Attempting Further Inroads

By Kenneth Conboy

It has been more than three years since Jemaah Islamiyah staged an attack against Western targets in Indonesia. Still, there is reason for the Indonesian authorities to remain concerned about religious extremism.

First, hard-line Islamic political parties for much of this year have been pushing for the passage of a so-called Anti-Pornography Law. While this might sound commendable, in actually the bill contains Draconian wording that is little more than a backdoor attempt to codify elements of Islamic Law. Already, there have been sporadic protests in places like Bali, Jogjakarta, and Jakarta by secular activists—especially women’s rights organizations—which fear being victimized if the bill gets ratified. Opposing them have been large rallies by conservative groups like Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia. These demonstrations—both for and against—are likely to continue through the time the National Assembly votes on the bill’s passage, which could come within a month.

Second, the government is wary of potential reprisals should it fulfill its pledge to execute the three terrorists who masterminded the 2002 Bali bombing. That said, the execution of the trio by firing squad has been “imminent” for the better part of this year. Part of the government’s reluctance to carry out the sentence might be because they don’t want to heighten security risks before the Asian Beach Games in Bali conclude on 26 October. Part, too, is probably because legislative elections are set for April 2009, and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is cognizant of the critical support he receives from hard-line Islamic parties.

Indeed, Islamic extremists seem eager to test the government’s reluctance. Earlier this year, there were numerous examples of paramilitary groups attacking communes operated by Ahmadiyah, an Islamic sect declared heretical by many mainstream Muslims. With rare exception, the authorities offered only a limp response.

Emboldened, on 11 October some 50 members of the Jogjakarta branch of the Islamic Defender's Front (FPI) attacked the local headquarters of Sapta Dharma. Sapta Dharma was founded in Kediri, East Java, in 1952; like Ahmadiyah, it has been declared a deviant Islamic sect. After the police appeared reluctant to take action, Sapta Dharma filed an official complaint against the FPI on 16 October. It remains to be seen if the police are now compelled to take a stand.

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