Asia plans terror cash freeze

By Jonathan Kent
BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur

South East Asian countries want to show they take terrorism seriously

Law enforcement and banking officials from across the Pacific are meeting in Malaysia to discuss how to stifle the flow of funds to violent militant groups.

The meeting is the first to be organised by the Kuala Lumpur-based South East Asia Regional Counter Terrorism Centre, which was launched in July.

It takes place as Malaysia has confirmed it has deported an alleged leader of the militant group, Jemaah Islamiah, to Indonesia.

The gathering is intended to signal that the countries of South East Asia are serious about co-operating to quell the upsurge of militancy in their region.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, told the meeting that the recent capture of the alleged Bali bomb mastermind, Hambali, an Indonesian whose real name is Riduan Isamuddin, was the result of many nations, including his, working together.

International effort

Experts are attending not just from the Asean region, but also from Australia and the United States, from where much of the impetus for this conference came.

It is a sign that the issue of Iraq is slowly being put to one side as the Pacific nations tackle matters of mutual interest.

This group will look at how to prevent militants from being able to move funds around the world.

One channel under scrutiny is the Islamic hawala system, whereby funds are remitted on the basis of trust.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's deputy prime minister confirmed that Mohamad Iqbal Abdul Rahman had been deported to Indonesia after being freed from detention.

Also known as Abu Jabril, he was identified by Malaysian police and security experts as a senior leader of the group Jemaah Islamiah.

After his arrest two years ago, his role in the group is said to have been filled by Hambali.