SE Asia struggles to define terror 

Southeast Asian countries are carfeul not to equate terrorism with Islam 

Amy Chew

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- The drafting of anti-terrorism laws to fight terrorists in Southeast Asia is being hampered by the lack of a definition of "terrorism", and concern it is linked in any way to Islam. 

"I believe the whole of ASEAN is trying to come up with an accurate or correct definition of terrorism," Norberto Gonzalez, adviser to Philippines' President Gloria Arroyo Macapagal, said during a visit to Jakarta late Monday. 

"Because of the lack of this definition, I think it is affecting the drafting of laws (anti-terrorism laws) in each country," Gonzalez added, referring to the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 

The Philippines has submitted a bill on anti-terrorism to Congress while Indonesia is in the process of drafting such a law. The laws are expected to give governments the right to take pre-emptive measures on suspected terrorists. 


The region wants a definition which is fair and which does not equate Islam with terrorism as has been portrayed periodically by foreign media. 

"With regards to the Philippines ... no way will my country equate terrorism with Islam," said Gonzalez. 

In Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country, top generals have privately expressed that terrorism should not be equated with Islam. 

"We are concerned with the definition of terrorism -- it should not be equated with Islam because Islam is not for violence," a one-star general told CNN. 

Within standards

Linrung received a hero's welcome upon his return to Indonesia 
Gonzalez was sent to Jakarta to explain the circumstances behind the arrest of three Indonesian men suspected of terrorism. 

Abdul Jamal Balfas, Tamsil Linrung and Agus Dwirkana vowed the sue the Philippine government for wrongful arrest after they were apprehended at a Philippines airport last month when bomb-making equipment was found in their bags. 

The three men were also alleged to have met with Indonesian Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi while in the Philippines. 

Al-Ghozi, otherwise known as 'Mike the bomber' was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment early this month for illegal possession of explosives. 

Linrung and Balfas were freed last week due to a lack of evidence. Dwirkana still remains in detention. 

The men say the charges against them were fabricated. The Philippines maintains their actions fell within the standards of law enforcement. 

Crushing al Qaeda
As Southeast Asian nations struggle to define terrorism, the United States has vowed to crush al Qaeda terrorist cells in the region. 

On Sunday, U.S. military chief General Richard Myers said al Qaeda had a presence in over 60 countries, including several in Southeast Asia. 

"We know its a very vast terrorist network and it needs to be destroyed. Wherever they are, here in Southeast Asia or in the Middle East, we need to destroy them so they can't bring harm to innocent civilians or attack at random," Myers said. 

The U.S. has stepped up its anti-terrorism campaign in the region in recent weeks -- sending additional troops to train Philippines' military to fight Abu Sayyaf, a small group of Islamic rebels linked to al Qaeda. 

The number of American soldiers on Philippines' soil now amounts to nearly 4,000. 

Last week, senior U.S. officials were in Indonesia to hold talks with the military and defence ministry's top brass to boost security cooperation between the two countries. 

Gonzalez said Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines were in the process of completing the drafting of a tri-lateral agreement to share information on fighting terrorists.