Terrorism still a top concern of BIMP-EAGA businessmen

DAVAO CITY — Security remains a major concern among businessmen in the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), which has been rocked by terrorist attacks in the past few years.

"We just hope that the matter would be discussed by the senior officials and ministers (of the BIMP-EAGA) during their meeting here. We suggest that terrorism be discussed," said Datuk Ahmad Ali Lope Haji Aziz, chairman of the private sector-led East ASEAN Business Council (EABC).

Aziz, one of the key delegates to the three-day BIMP-EAGA 11th Senior Officials and 8th Ministerial Meeting that kicked off yesterday at the Marco Polo Hotel, emphasized the need for cooperation among the member-nations in fighting terrorism.

EAGA, which has a market base of over 50 million consumers, encompasses the subnational economies of East Indonesia, East Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Mindanao and Palawan.

The EABC is the private sector counterpart of the government-led EAGA.

"We are into business and yes, we take the risks. But it would also be good if the matter of security and terrorism would be discussed for a joint effort in fighting it among the participating countries," Aziz said.

The Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist group, which has links with the al-Qaeda global network of Osama bin Laden, has been noted to have strong bases within the EAGA such as in Southern, Western and Central Mindanao as well as in East Indonesia and some areas in East Malaysia.

According to intelligence reports, JI members have been criss-crossing the borders of the EAGA countries, openly transporting explosive materials that have been used in bombings and other terrorist attacks in certain parts of the subregion.

Kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf extremist group has also become another security problem in the EAGA, causing a drastic slump in the emerging tourism industry in Western Mindanao and East Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Glenn Peñaranda, Philippine commercial attaché to Malaysia, said the joint border patrol panels of the two countries have been enhanced to help address the problem of security in the region.

Asia-Pacific leaders have warned against possible maritime terror attacks in the region following reports of intensified JI operations after a number of their terrorist cells have been constricted.

Indonesian vice consul Johannes Manginsela said the EAGA countries "have already been taking the necessary precautions and have been addressing the problem properly."