This fascinating discovery during the investigation of the seemingly nondescript January 8, 2005, Balikpapan bombing in Indonesia was revealed just days before the prosecution concluded its case against alleged Jemaah Islamiya spiritual leader Abu Bakar Bashir . During the hearing with a commission of the House of Representatives dealing with security affairs, National Police Chief General Da’i Bachtiar revealed the document contained “references to fundamentalist teaching, hostilities between Islamic and Western countries, terrorist movements in Indonesia and an annex showing how to assemble bombs and how to shoot.” Intriguingly, during chief prosecutor Salman Maryadi closing arguments against Bashir, he alleged that contents of an academic paper written by Bashir on training Muslims was similar to a Jemaah Islamiyah manual found in the Philippines . Though the two documents are not likely identical, authorities are getting a clearer picture regarding JI’s rationale and modus operandi and seem confident to disclose this knowledge in public forums.

Regrettably, this information has yet to be leveraged effectively into significant law enforcement and judicial success. Balikpapan bomber Sujono (aka Sugiono) is considered a minor player within JI, and his comparatively simple improvised explosive device (IED) does not reflect sophisticated designs attributed to British-educated Malaysian engineer Dr. Azahari Husin who is believed to be behind every major Jemaah Islamiya attack dating at least back to the Bali resort attack of October 2002 and including the subsequent bombings at the Jakarta Marriott Hotel bombing in August 2003 , the September 2004 Australian Embassy attack , and a thwarted attack against the Jakarta Hilton hotel in December 2004. (See January 19, 2005 WAR Report). Additionally, prosecutors were forced to drop the most significant charges against Bashir, including the claim that Bashir and his supporters had actually planned the 2002 Bali attack or that Bashir had incited his followers to engage in terrorism, due to lack of sufficient evidence. The remaining charges focus on failing to prevent Jemaah Islamiyah militants, allegedly under his leadership, from carrying out the Bali bombings, and if found guilty, Bashir could face a maximum of only eight years in prison. Later this week, Bashir’s attorneys will mount their defense, and some analysts suggest the trial might end with a verdict as early as next week. Until significant successes are achieved in apprehending JI strategic and logistical leadership, Western interests ? especially Australian social locales and American tourist destinations and businesses — will remain prime targets across Indonesia.

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