[Kabar-indonesia] Ba'asyir expands his clout

[Joyo at aol.com]

The Jakarta Post 
Tuesday, July 4, 2006

Ba'asyir expands his clout

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Radical cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir waves his hand on arriving at an event here 
Monday to mark the eighth anniversary of an Islamist political party that 
campaigns for sharia in Indonesia.

Three weeks after finishing a terrorism-related prison term, Ba'asyir has 
begun to extend his political clout in the predominantly Muslim country.

He addressed hundreds of supporters of the Crescent Star Party (PBB) at the 
celebration of its anniversary in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.

However, the cleric denied joining the small Islamic party. PBB is chaired by 
Hamdan Zoelva, who replaced Yusril Ihza Mahendra, now Indonesia's state 
secretary.

In his speech, Ba'asyir branded Muslims who oppose sharia as "apostates".

He also said Indonesia should send Islamic holy warriors to Israel to punish 
it for unleashing airstrikes in Palestinian territories.

"Israel is the enemy of Allah," Ba'asyir was quoted by AP as saying, while 
the Jewish country massed tanks and troops along Gaza's northern border.

Ba'asyir completed a 26-month jail term on June 14 for conspiracy in 
connection with the 2002 Bali bombings that left 202 dead. His release has raised 
concerns that he will energize Indonesia's radical Islamic fringe by making 
impassioned speeches at rallies and mosques. 

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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