The bomb blasts that ripped through two luxury hotels in Jakarta yesterday are a chilling reminder of the strength of the terrorism networks on our doorstep. As well, the repeated attacks on hotels used by Westerners clearly show who are the intended targets of the terrorism campaign.
Terrorists have long favoured ''soft'' targets, knowing the distress caused by images of innocent bystanders blown up by suicide attackers. Yesterday they again attacked five-star hotels frequented by Westerners, killing eight people. Australians were among the killed and injured.
One of the hotels, the Marriott, was also bombed in 2003, when 12 people were killed. The al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah Islamic militant group was blamed for the bombings in Bali that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians, in 2002. The Australian embassy was bombed in 2004.
The relatively long intervals between terrorist attacks in Indonesia are ominous. Authorities say the delay in mounting the attacks demonstrates the networks have been disrupted and their bomb-making capability has been greatly weakened. It is undoubtedly true that cooperation between Indonesia and Australia has made progress in the ''war on terror'' in the region. But analysts point out that the long intervals show the terrorists have great patience. This shows the need for the West to remain vigilant.
Dr Carl Ungerer, of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, warns that younger members of JI, who are being released from jail, remain defiant and they say their goal is still to bomb Western targets. This hardline splinter group will not accept any move by the JI leadership away from its terrorism campaign.
There are about 15 JI leaders who have never been caught. They continue to advocate armed jihad against Western interests and are being supported by networks of followers. Mas Selamat Kastari, JI's alleged former Singapore commander, was arrested in Johor in April. Soon after, Malaysian police detained three terrorist suspects for allegedly trying to revive Jemaah Islamiah in the country. It appears that JI is the only group capable of yesterday's extension of the terror campaign. Clearly JI continues to survive, even if only in smaller groups. Analysts point out that yesterday's blasts could have been carried out by a small cell with the capability to put an explosive backpack on a suicide bomber.
Some analysts say the bombing campaign in Indonesia will continue while the group's so-called spiritual leader Abu Bakir Bashir continues to preach hatred and violence.
Australians will not be deterred by terrorists from visiting Indonesia. After the Bali bombings, there was a slump in tourism to the resort island, followed by an enthusiastic return by Australians who want to ensure the livelihood of the local people who depend on tourism. Australian politicians and business people regularly visit Jakarta.
The flights from Australia continue despite the official warning from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, because of the ''very high threat'' of terrorist attack. The department says, ''Bali remains an attractive target for terrorists.''
The latest bombings come just a week after the national elections in the world's most populous Muslim country. The attacks will not halt the flourishing democracy in Indonesia, despite the minority who refuse to accept the outcome of the elections.
The Howard government established close links with Indonesia in the struggle to bring to justice to those responsible for terrorist attacks. The cooperation was very successful and continues, with Australia and Indonesia jointly hosting key meetings recently on counter-terrorism.
As Malcolm Turnbull says, nowhere has the cooperation been closer but the new attacks show that much work is still to be done and that the global struggle against terrorism is far from over.
Kevin Rudd immediately convened a meeting of the national security committee of cabinet to review information from agencies about the attacks. Australian police and intelligence agencies may be involved in the hunt to track down the bombers. This cooperation was established after the Bali bombing and showed a new maturity in the bilateral relationship.
Australia stands ready to help its neighbour in its time of need and to continue the fight against terrorism which must remain a high priority. The cowardly bombers have demonstrated there will be no let-up in their campaign for the foreseeable future and that demands continuing vigilance.
Today the sympathies of the nation are with the families of the dead and injured, Indonesians and Westerners, the collateral damage in the callous campaign, which will not succeed.
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