Southeast Asia Beats Back al-Qaida

Indonesian boy holds a rose to commemorate the 5th anniversary of Bali bombing in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, Thrusday, Oct, 11, 2007. On Oct. 12, 2002, two bombs ripped through Bali nightclubs, killing 202 people. Most of the victims were foreign tourists. This first major strike by Islamic extremists on Westerners in Asia thrust Southeast Asia onto the front lines of the war on terror. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) (Firdia Lisnawati - AP)

In engaging the terrorists, Indonesian authorities often exploit a long-standing rift in the militant movement over the morality and strategic benefit of bombing soft targets such as the Bali nightclubs.

"We were made into a demolition crew," said Mubarok, a guest at the party who is serving a life sentence for planning and carrying out the Bali bombings. "We did not stop to think, what if one of our family was caught up in the blasts? Now we are aware what we did was wrong," said Mubarok, who goes by a single name.

He and several other guests had been temporarily released from prison to attend the party, and the Indonesians were apparently so confident of their approach that no armed guards were seen at the house.

Those cooperating with authorities can expect shorter sentences, cash payments and medical care for themselves or relatives.

Few hard-liners will admit to assisting police and many still hold views that mainstream Muslims would consider extreme. Several appear to be motivated as much by financial reward as anything else.

"We learn who can be turned and look after them," said Col. Tito Karnavian, the head of intelligence at the anti-terrorism unit. "And they then recruit people. We call it 'creeping de-radicalization.' We should not treat terrorists all the same. We should learn their culture and then exploit it."

A few work publicly with authorities; one former Jemaah Islamiyah regional leader, a Malaysian named Nasir Abbas, occasionally briefs the media alongside police. Most remain behind the scenes, identifying a voice recording or photo of a suspect or meeting detainees in jail to challenge their views.

"It has paid dividends," said Sidney Jones, a leading expert on Indonesia's militant movements from the International Crisis Group. "There is an effort to engage them (the militants) in discussions, not just put them under surveillance."

The party at Dharma's house was timed to coincide with the breaking of the fast during the holy month of Ramadan. The prayers were led by Mubarok.

Ali Imron, another former militant serving life for the Bali bombings, said friends told him an unnamed cleric had issued an edict calling for his death because of his close links with police.

"Everything has a risk, but I have chosen my path," he said. "I am doing what is right."

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Associated Press writers Niniek Karmini in Indonesia, Jim Gomez in the Philippines, Gillian Wong in Singapore and Vijay Joshi in Malaysia contributed to this report.