South- East Asian Perspectives on September 11

Arnaud d`Andurain is the Director for Intellectual Exchange of the Asia- Europe Foundation. Addressing an invited audience in the Delhi Policy Group, Mr Andurain shared his views on South East Asian Perspectives on 9 September.

Mr Andurain highlighted the `Fear of Global recession' as the foremost concern of the South-east Asian countries after September 11, as their economy was dependent on the US.

Presenting a country wise analysis of the situation the Speaker spoke about the individual countries, their policies and options.

Indonesia condemned terrorism and supported the US in its actions against terrorism. However, the presence of Muslim extremists with in the country poses political challenges. The Army is divided on how to control violence. Hence, President Megawati tried to satisfy both the sides. On the one side President condemned terrorism and on the other hand she deplored the American attack on Afghanistan. American action of freezing the bank accounts in the US is a serious issue for the South East Asian countries because many charitable organisations have accounts in the US.

Malaysia has been stern on the presence of the extremist groups even before September 11. After the incident visa issuance were made stringent to the nationals of Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran.

Philippines: 150 non-fighting American troops landed in Philippines following September 11. According to Mr. Andurain, Philippines presented an easy destination for the US to make its presence felt in the region because of its huge Christian population, strong diasporas in the US and its dependence on the US for trade. Civil society with in Philippines was not against the US military presence. Philippines received nearly $300 million military aid.

Thailand was of the view that there was no Muslim insurgency in South. Too much of concern on the issue could be counter-productive.

Singapore was rudely awaken to the fact that terrorists had made their presence in the country. Arrests of 23 Jamaat people having links with Al Qaeda was a blow to its image. All the arrested persons had links with Indonesia which made Singapore suspicious of its neighbours.

The South East Asian countries will find it difficult to remain indifferent to the terrorist activities with in their domestic realm especially Brunei and Malaysia. A few countries like Malaysia and Thailand have tried to control the freedom of press. Singapore and Malaysia have made arrests and detention in the pretext of curtailing Islamic extremism. Singapore and Malaysia had identified with the terrorist threat to the US. Security was beefed up in the commercial and residential sites especially in Malaysia and Singapore. After September 11, security has become the primary national concern of the South East Asian countries.