Insensitive !

The Indonesian government appears particularly insensitive to world feeling by letting Abu Bakar Bashir - spiritual leader of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiah - publicly visit and commend the three terrorists responsible for the 2002 Bali bombing that killed 202 tourists - 88 of them Australian.

Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country, but it officially condemns Islamic terror and it has passed the death sentence on those who committed murder in the name of Islam. Passing sentence is one thing - carrying it out is another - and so far that has not happened !

There seems to be an air of indifference towards the Bali bombing. Perhaps the fact that the residents in Bali are not Muslims - and the people murdered were western tourists has something to do with that separation of guilt.

There also seems to be a lack of outrage amongst ordinary Indonesians that followers of a violent brand of Islam are trying to force their way of life onto the entire country. Indonesia follows a secular path that allows freedom of choice as to way of life in many ways - and that includes the freedom to watch television, listen to music and educate women - something that the extremists would forbid if they managed to install Sharia law.

When a bigot like Bashir is featured in the media smiling and conferring blessings on those who have confessed to murder - but shown no contrition - then many observers must wonder how sincere are the Indonesian government's efforts to suppress terrorism.