Indonesian cleric denies Bin Laden link

Abu Bakar Ba'asyir says he has never met Bin Laden

By the BBC's Jakarta correspondent Richard Galpin

Indonesian has said it will not bow to pressure from the United States to act hastily against Islamic militants suspected of links with Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

The announcement comes following a series of arrests in neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia, which appear to show the existence of a network of radical Muslim groups in South East Asia.

One of those groups has been accused of plotting to attack US targets in Singapore.

But the man suspected of leading the network, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, is an Indonesian cleric who has continued to appear in public in his home country.

I have never met Osama Bin Laden - I've only heard his speeches on cassette

Indonesian Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir

I met him in the city of Yogyakarta, as he gave the opening speech at a special seminar organised by a radical Islamic group, the Mujahidin Council, of which he is a leader.

Representatives from about 10 different organisations gathered at one of the city's main hotels to call for strict Islamic or Sharia law to be implemented in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation.

Passionate appeals for Sharia law are nothing new. But it was extraordinary to see a speech given openly by a man wanted by the authorities in both Malaysia and Singapore.

Mr Ba'asyir is accused of being a senior leader of a network of militant Islamic groups which they allege is linked to Osama Bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda organisation.

Not questioned

The government in Singapore alleges the clandestine group there had been plotting to attack US targets after receiving training in Afghanistan.

Indonesian Muslims protested against the US war on terror

The goverment says the group had been trying to get hold of large amounts of explosives to make truck bombs.

And yet Abu Bakar Ba'asyir told me he had not even been called in for questioning by the Indonesian authorities.

"I have never been contacted by the police," he said. "The accusations against me are not clear.

"It is only the newspapers which are blowing it out of proportion.

"I have been living here in Indonesia for the past three years and have not set foot in Malaysia in that time.

"I have never met Osama Bin Laden, I've only heard his speeches on cassette."

'Jihad lectures'

Another leader of the Mujahideen Council, Irfan Awwas, also strongly denied that either Abu Bakar Ba'asyir or their organisation had any links with radical groups in other countries.

"Since this organisation was established in the year 2000, we have never had any contact with Mujahudeen groups in Malaysia or Singapore. And secondly we do not have any representatives abroad," he said.

The allegations and denials are symptomatic of the murky nature of this whole topic - little hard evidence has been presented to the public so far.

What is known about Mr Ba'asyir is that he lived for 13 years in Malaysia giving lectures on Islam, which reportedly included speeches on the concept of Jihad.

As in Singapore, the Malaysian authorities have arrested most members of the radical group he is alleged to have been involved with.

They are accused of having links with those behind for the attacks on Washington and New York on 11 September.

Since returning to Indonesia Mr Ba'asyir has spent most of his time teaching at an Islamic boarding school near Yogyakarta.

Student support

The students spend half their time studying religion and have Arabic classes. Their views are hostile to the United States - especially after the bombing of Afghanistan.

Support for Bin Laden is not uncommon in Indonesia

"In our opinion we have to defend the Afghans because we are Muslims and we are brothers ... if something happens to them we can also feel it," said 18 year-old Taufiq Nur.

"We can help them first with our money and our prayers ... but Osama Bin Laden's call for a Jihad, that's also good."

Such opinions are not uncommon. And whilst the Indonesian police say they are now investigating the allegations against Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, there is no sign of any action being taken.

Overall, the government says it needs much more proof before it can act against any individuals or organisations, despite the frustration this is causing in some western countries.