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Malaysia 'at risk' of Bali-style attack
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. State Department says it is concerned Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations may be hit by terrorist attacks similar to the nightclub bombings in Bali last month that killed more than 180 people. The comment was made by the State Department Wednesday, in a statement which also warned of "possible heightened risks to American citizens and American interests" in Malaysia, particularly in the eastern state of Sabah. Since mid-2001 Malaysian authorities have apprehended over 70 members of the extremist Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) group, designated as a terrorist organization by Washington in October and with links to the al Qaeda terror network. The statement said JI has cells operating throughout Southeast Asia adding that the group and other extremist organizations present in the region "have demonstrated transnational capabilities to carry out attacks against locations where Westerners congregate." "Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets," the statement said. Worldwide cautionMany nations, including the U.S., Australia and Britain, have increased their travel alerts for several countries in Southeast Asia in the wake of the October 12 bombings in Bali, Indonesia and on intelligence that terrorist groups had shifted focus to target nightspots or other popular venues for Westerners. The statement came on the same day as a new State Department 'Worldwide Caution' which called on U.S. citizens to remain "vigilant" and advised of continued threats to civilian targets. (Full story) "In light of the statement released by Osama bin Laden on November 12, 2002, the Department of State reminds Americans that U.S. citizens and interests remain at increased risk of terrorist attacks," the caution said. With increased security at official U.S. facilities, recent attacks had demonstrated that terrorists were seeking so-called "softer targets" like clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools and recreation spots, the State Department warning said. JI leader arrestIntelligence agencies have uncovered what they say is mounting evidence of increased terrorist activity and links in the region. Among the most prominent groups is JI, named by Western Intelligence as the prime suspect behind the plotting, funding and carrying out of the Bali bombings. The group's alleged spiritual leader, cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, was recently arrested by Indonesian authorities after an al Qaeda operative in U.S. custody pinpointed him as a terrorist mastermind. Among other things, Ba'asyir is alleged to have been involved in a series of church bombings on Christmas Eve 2000 a plot to assassinat Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri. Ba'asyir has however not been officially linked to the Bali blasts. His detention was extended on Wednesday, possibly until the end of the year. (Full story) Abu SayyafThe State Department also reiterated its concern about the possibility of attacks by the Philippines' Abu Sayyaf Muslim guerrilla group in Malaysia's Sabah state. U.S. citizens visiting the islands or coastal regions of Sabah are urged to exercise "extreme caution," the statement said. Abu Sayyaf, which operates in the south of the predominately Catholic nation of the Philippines has also been linked to al Qaeda by intelligence agencies. Earlier this year, about 1,000 American troops and Special Forces spent six months in the southern Philippines in counter-terrorism exercises aimed at helping the Philippine military fight the Abu Sayyaf. Though most of the U.S. soldiers left in August, Special Forces are still involved in the exercises that are continuing, mainly in the Abu Sayyaf stronghold of Basilan.
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