The group blamed for the Bali bombings, Jemaah Islamiah (JI) does exist, and wants to form an Islamic state across Southeast Asia. But it suffers ideological splits, is loosely structured, and has been allowed to grow because of corrupt military and police forces, a study has revealed.
These conclusions, reached by the International Crisis Group's Jakarta office, are significant because they come from independent research - not from shadowy government intelligence sources.
The new research re-examines corruption and long-standing conflicts in Indonesia, including the Christmas eve 2000 bombings and the fighting between Muslims and Christians in the Malukus.
Experience in or indoctrination about the Maluku conflict has been a key recruitment tactic for Jemaah Islamiah. It is only since September 11, the ICG says, that foot-soldiers for Jemaah Islamiah have taken inspiration from US aggression against Muslims.
The research group used trial documents, police data and extensive interviews over a two-month period to produce its latest paper on Islamic radicalism in Southeast Asia.
It concludes that Jemaah Islamiah is structured loosely into four territorial divisions: Malaysia and Singapore; Java; Mindanao, Sabah and Sulawesi; and Australia and Papua New Guinea.