New report urges vigilance on Jemaah Islamiyah

Present gaps in our knowledge of the terrorist organisation, Jemaah Islamiyah must be systematically plugged if Australia is country is to be safe, according to a new report.

The Australian Strategic Policy lnstitute which produced the report, says this is essential.

“The nature and the evolution of the regional terrorist threat remains high on the list of Australia’s national priorities,” the report said.

It said JI continues to represent a significant threat to both Australian and regional security.

JI was responsible for the Bali bombings in 2002 and 2005 and the bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta in 2004.

The report recalled that Australia or Australian interests had been subjected to planned, conducted, or aborted terrorist attacks each year from 1999 to 2005.

“It is essential, therefore, that Australian and South East Asian governments remain vigilant, ” the report adds.

The report said that although much research had already been carried out, the “precise nature” of the islamist militancy in South East Asia had “still to be mapped out.”

“It is important that any gaps in understanding are addressed,” the report said.

“A thorough grasp of the current organisational and operational dynamics of local terrorist groups and the extent to which they are (or are not) gravitating towards pan regional designs will allow for a more informed and nuanced debate on how best to mitigate the challenge from Muslim extremists based in South East Asia,” the report said.