Jamaah Islamiah was founded in about 1993/94 to create an Islamic state encompassing Indonesia, Malaysia and the southern Philippines. The "group" is reputedly led by an Indonesian pesantren teacher, Abu Bakar Bashir, who is currently in custody in Jakarta, being questioned about the Bali bombings, and denies any connection with Jamaah Islamiah. Riduan Isamuddin, also known as Hambali is claimed to be the deputy to Bashir, and that the "group" has links with Kumpulan Mujahideen Malaysia (KMM), possibly the Peoples United Liberation Organisation (PULO) southern Thailand, the Philippines MILF, and possibly in an alliance called Rabatitul Mujaihidin, which may involve all these groups and others.
Laskar Jihad, established in Indonesia 2000, is the military wing of Forum Komunikasi Ahlus Sunnah wal Jammah (Communications Forum of the Followers of the Sunnah), ostensibly to protect Muslims from Christians in Maluku. The aims of the group, which has over 10,000 members, are; social work, Muslim education, "providing security". During the second quarter of 2000, after receiving basic military training in west Java, perhaps with assistance and funding from TNI, about 2,000 members went to Maluku, in spite of a the Presidential order not to do so. There appear to be no firm links to al Qaeda, nor any other organisation.
Front Pembela Islam (FPI-Islamic Defenders Front), formed in Indonesia in 1998, is said to have 22 provincial branches and a military wing called Laskar Pembela Islam which has a record of attacking and razing brothels, night clubs, casinos, bars and so on - with apparent impunity -mainly in Jakarta. Reportedly led by Saudi educated Habib Muhammad Riziek Syihab, FPI aims to implement shari'a law, stopping short of creating an Islamic state, and supporting Pancasila. Last year the organisation threatened to drive all Americans out of Indonesia because of the US operations in Afghanistan.
Abu Sayaaf (AS-Bearer of the Sword), founded by an Afghanistan veteran, Abdurajak Janjalani, based in Mindanao in the southern Philippines, the group has conducted terrorist and criminal attacks since 1991 to further claims for Islamic autonomy in the area. AS has reported links to al-Qaeda, for such things as training and financial assistance. Abu Sayaaf finances activities from this source, and criminal acts such as piracy, and kidnapping, a lucrative source that has included a $25 million ransom payment from Libya in early 2000. The group suffers internal divisions, one group who are committed to the "cause" and one group with purely criminal interests.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is another group seeking autonomy for the Islamic southern Philippines, with the eventual aim of an independent Moro Muslim state. MILF split from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which, from 1972, led this struggle for autonomy. Hashim Salamat, was educated at the highly respected al-Azhar University in Cairo, and leads this 35,000 (+/-) strong organisation of which hundreds of its members are reported to have trained with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. This is denied. Funding sources include donations from fraternal organisations in Malaysia, Pakistan, and the Middle East.
The New People's Army (NPA) is the reportedly over 10,000 strong military wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). It has an active infrastructure through which to conduct urban terrorism, including metropolitan assassination teams. Funded by supporters in the Philippines, Europe and elsewhere, it opposes any US military presence, and targets US personnel and installations.