by Ganesh Sahathevan
First, I am not playing fast and loose with the language by using "jihadi" and " Islamist terrorists" interchangeably- see Basam Tibi's “Jihadism’s roots in political Islam”.
Basam , unlike the AFP's "experts" at Monash is actually a scholar and has been writing about the dangers of Islamism since the 1980s when the AFP and NSW Police's "experts" were still at school (some, like Waleed Aly, at playschool).
On ABC 4 Corners this week we had the AFP, NSW Police and their experts declaring that jihadism only beccame a problem in Australia in the mid 2000s ,and that too as a result of police action.
The AFP's assistant commissioner in charge of counter-terrorism Neil Gaughan seemed worryingly overwhelmed by this question that has been resolved many years ago elsewhere, for example in Malaysia and Indonesia :
NEIL GAUGHAN: I mean, why do young men particularly go from what we would say is normal behaviour in school - being involved in sport, ah, academically strong - to actually totally shifting their lives to move down a different path? Um, that's the question that we're all struggling with. I think if we had the answer to that particular question, we could probably stop a lot of these young men from going down the way they're going.
Meanwhile, a jihadi who was active here in Australia in the 90s understands perfectly well the motivation and offers his services to stop what he started, very much like a clever extortionist.
Readers should take careful note of the fact that the BIN is somewhat involved in this racket, and that Julie "Kissinger" Bishop has said that Australia will offer the Indons the same "de-radicalization" expertise the Indons are offering Australia. Duncan Lewis in particular should take note-he might learn something.
END
ABC NEWS
Former terrorist Abdurrahman Ayyub warns Australia is 'ticking time bomb' of extremism
Updated yesterday at 2:09pmSat 28 Nov 2015, 2:09pm
The former deputy head of the Australian branch of Jemaah Islamiah has described Australia as a "ticking time bomb" as it struggles to contain the spread of radicalism.
Abdurrahman Ayyub was once one of Australia's most-wanted terrorists.
Now he works for Indonesia's anti-terrorism agency, known as the BNPT, on its deradicalisation program.
In the nation's prisons and in the communities, he spreads the message of moderate Islam.
"What Indonesia is doing is recognised by the world now," Mr Ayyub said.
"The counter-terrorism agency working together with former radicals — that's very important, because there's no way a doctrine can change on its own without dialogue."
AUSTRALIA NOT ADDRESSING RADICALISED YOUTH: AYYUB
Mr Ayyub entered Australia in the 1990s to recruit and fundraise for Jemaah Islamiah, the terrorist group responsible for the Bali attacks.
People can quickly turn radical and extreme, even though now they seem calm.
Former terrorist Abdurrahman Ayyub
He fled Australia after the nightclub bombings in 2002, but insists he had no prior knowledge of the attacks.
He said Australia's counter-terrorism methods were lacking dialogue particularly with the nation's youth.
"Australia is sitting on a time bomb, which means people can quickly turn radical and extreme, even though now they seem calm," Mr Ayyub said.
"What has Australia done in regards to these dialogues for the youth? Someone who was just like I was.
"I am asking the question to Australia: What have you done about deradicalisation?"
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RADIO AUSTRALIA
Former terrorist Abdurrahman Ayyub warns Australia is 'ticking time bomb' of extremism
Updated 28 November 2015, 14:15 AEDT
By Samantha Hawley
A man who was once one of Australia's most-wanted terrorists says the country is struggling to contain the spread of extremism, particularly in relation to radicalised youth.
Abdurrahman Ayyub says Australia is failing in its attempts to contain extremism. (Credit: ABC)
The former deputy head of the Australian branch of Jemaah Islamiah has described Australia as a "ticking time bomb" as it struggles to contain the spread of radicalism.
Abdurrahman Ayyub was once one of Australia's most-wanted terrorists.
Now he works for Indonesia's anti-terrorism agency, known as the BNPT, on its deradicalisation program.
In the nation's prisons and in the communities, he spreads the message of moderate Islam.
"What Indonesia is doing is recognised by the world now," Mr Ayyub said.
"The counter-terrorism agency working together with former radicals — that's very important, because there's no way a doctrine can change on its own without dialogue."
Australia not addressing radicalised youth: Ayyub
Mr Ayyub entered Australia in the 1990s to recruit and fundraise for Jemaah Islamiah, the terrorist group responsible for the Bali attacks.
People can quickly turn radical and extreme, even though now they seem calm.
Former terrorist Abdurrahman Ayyub
He fled Australia after the nightclub bombings in 2002, but insists he had no prior knowledge of the attacks.
He said Australia's counter-terrorism methods were lacking dialogue particularly with the nation's youth.
"Australia is sitting on a time bomb, which means people can quickly turn radical and extreme, even though now they seem calm," Mr Ayyub said.
"What has Australia done in regards to these dialogues for the youth? Someone who was just like I was.
"I am asking the question to Australia: What have you done about deradicalisation?"
Hundreds of Indonesian terrorists await prison release: Bishop
Mr Ayyub's twin brother Abdul Rahim Ayyub was married to Australian-born jihadist Rabiah Hutchinson.
Their Australian child, Mr Ayyub's nephew, is now fighting in Syria.
"My nephew went there — Muhammad Ilyas, the son of Rabiah, he left to join ISIS," Mr Ayyub said.
They have changed their attitude, behaviour and hopefully also their mindset. So they no longer have their old ways, their point of view has changed.
"How many like that are undetected? How many still hold grudges?"
Australia's Foreign Minister has repeatedly expressed concern about convicted terrorists being released from Indonesia jails.
"A significant number of prisoners in Indonesian prisons who have been convicted of terrorist-related activities will be released. It runs into the hundreds," Julie Bishop said on the sidelines of the UN security council meeting in New York in September.
"And of course, if they've not been rehabilitated, then they pose a serious risk, not only to Indonesia, but to our region."
Indonesia's correctional services body says 41 convicted terrorists have been released from jail this year.
"According to our investigation, these inmates, prisoners, are reformed terrorists," Akbar Hadi Prabowo, a spokesman at the directorate general of correctional facilities, said.
"They have changed their attitude, behaviour and hopefully also their mindset. So they no longer have their old ways, their point of view has changed."
Rehabilitation a 'never-ending cycle'
Senior Indonesia Army commander, Major General Agus Surya Bakti led the nation's deradicalisation efforts as part of the BNPT.
"We remain vigilant," Major General Bakti said.
"The process of deradicalisation is a never-ending cycle.
"The rehabilitation process in the prisons will be continued with rehabilitation process in society."
There are more than 250 terrorists detained in jails across the country.
Umar Patek, who is serving a 20-year sentence for making the explosives used in the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings, is now seen as an Indonesian deradicalisation success story.
Video footage from Porong prison in east Java shows Patek raising the Indonesian flag.
"Who doesn't know Umar Patek," Major General Bakti said.
"He flew the flag, saluted it, it's an extraordinary thing."
There has been no suggestion at this stage that Patek will be released early.
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