Transcript

COMPERE: Closer to home Indonesia's President, Megawati Sukarnoputri, is back in Jakarta after a visit to Washington in which she pledged her full support to the international coalition against Terrorism.

But in the world's most populous Muslim nation, that's a politically dangerous move, especially after the call to jihad last week by senior religious authorities in Indonesia.

A short while ago I spoke to our correspondent in Jakarta, Mark Bowling.

Mark, exactly how much of a divide is there between Megawati Sukarnoputri and the Islamic leaders, do you think?

MARK BOWLING: Well there's a very deep divide. It does seem that she, of course, is a staunch nationalist and wants not to dabble at all into religious affairs. But she's been called into line and to state her position, not only by Islamic Olamas, the religious leaders, but also the Muslim political parties on which she relies for her position as President.

Of course, she came to power only two months ago and it was with the support of the Muslim parties that she was able to reach the presidency.

COMPERE: Of course her predecessor was Gus Dur, who was not only President but was also himself a spiritual leader, the leader of one of the biggest Muslim groupings. How much of a difference does that change make do you think?

MARK BOWLING: Well it makes quite a large difference because he was able to at least call the Muslim parties together, and have some sort of a, not only a moral voice but a political voice for Islamic organisations and the parties.

He is now saying to Megawati, well, you can sink or swim on your own, on this issue particularly. He is saying, and he does seem to speak for most of the major Muslim parties, Megawati you're on your own now. You wanted the presidency. Let's see how you go on this very first tough issue.

COMPERE: To what degree, then, is it a matter of urgency Mark, do you think. I mean I've seen the Islamic leaders quoted as saying that this is a jihad, as it were, in name only. It's not about actual military action, it's about spiritual action.

Do you think that it is going to translate into violence on the street or political danger for Megawati?

MARK BOWLING: Well certainly there are extremist elements, not just in the major political parties, but extremist groups, some of them who have been linked with the bin Laden group. Now even though they may not make up the large Muslim parties, they do have a certain voice in Indonesian society and are pressuring those large Muslim parties to act.

They say a jihad means supplying people and ammunition and weapons to fight in Afghanistan. The major Islamic parties are saying, no, that's not the case. Jihad can also mean fighting the moral and religious fight, that is, and also supplying food, shelter and looking after the refugees. So there's very much a difference in the interpretation of what jihad is.

On one hand the moderate view which you'd have to say is the majority view in Indonesia. One-hundred-and-ninety million Muslims in Indonesia and the interpretation of jihad, the very radical view, which is that of a very small but vocal minority.

COMPERE: Do you think that vocal minority will become more powerful, though, if the United States does actually take action against Afghanistan, a Muslim nation?

MARK BOWLING: Well certainly we're seeing larger and much rowdier demonstrations every day in the capital, Jakarta. These extremist parties, or these extremist elements, are picking up support, not just from students but some of the Muslim groupings right across the country. So we're seeing a groundswell of support for them.

We're seeing young people signing up for jihad. They say they have every intention of going to Afghanistan and fighting alongside Muslims who may be threatened by this international alliance.

So it's certainly something which is not just a debate in Indonesia but is occupying every space in the media, and has become an overlying issue.

So it's something which, not only does Megawati have to look at carefully, but she is going to have great difficulty, it seems, getting the police and the military to support her in keeping control.

COMPERE: Mark Bowling in Jakarta.