* Islamic State 'many-headed monster' - Australian PM
* Security forces wary of reprisals by IS supporters
* Concerns about lone wolf attacks, online radicalisation
* Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines battling extremist reach
By Martin Petty and Rozanna Latiff
MANILA/KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian
countries fighting Islamic State's influence in the region
lauded the killing of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi but said
security forces were preparing for a long battle to thwart the
jihadist group's ideology.
The Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, home to some of
Asia's most organised Islamist militants, said on Monday they
were braced for retaliation by Islamic State loyalists,
including "lone wolf" attacks by locals radicalised by the
group's powerful online propaganda.
Baghdadi killed himself in a tunnel in northwest Syria by
detonating a suicide vest as U.S. forces closed in, according to
U.S. President Donald Trump. Though his death will unsettle Islamic State, it remains
capable and dangerous, said Delfin Lorenzana, defence secretary
of the Philippines, where the group's influence has taken a hold
among unschooled Muslim youth in its troubled Mindanao region.
"This is a blow to the organisation considering
al-Baghdadi's stature as a leader. But this is just a momentary
setback considering the depth and reach of the organisation
worldwide," Lorenzana said. "Somebody will take his place."
Southeast Asia has long been an important focus for Islamic
State, which has inspired Islamist militants in West Africa,
across the Middle East and Asia and through to Indonesia and the
Philippines.
The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia are concerned
Islamic State supporters from the region and those fleeing Iraq
and Syria could exploit the porous borders, lawlessness and
abundant arms found in Mindanao to take refuge in its far-flung
villages.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for four suicide
bombings since July last year in the Philippines, which fought
its toughest battle since World War Two in 2017 when extremists
seeking to establish an Islamic State laid siege to Marawi City
and occupied it through five months of air and ground assaults.
Fighters from at least seven countries took part, including
Malaysia, which remains on high alert and has arrested 400
people suspected of links to militant groups.
Malaysian police counter-terrorism chief Ayob Khan Mydin
Pitchay said the real concern was not Islamic State's leadership
but the effect of its teachings.
"It's good news, but his death will have little impact here
as the main problem remains the spread of the Islamic State
ideology," he told Reuters.
"What we are most worried about now are 'lone wolf' attacks
and those who are self-radicalised through the internet. We are
still seeing the spread of IS teachings online. IS publications
and magazines from years ago are being reproduced and
re-shared," he said.
'JIHAD WILL NEVER STOP'
Chatrooms in messaging applications used by Islamists such
as Telegram showed defiant messages about Baghdadi's death,
according to a researcher who monitors activity by Islamic State
sympathisers.
"God Willing, whatever happens, Islamic jihad will not rely
on any one individual, but will always stand tall on the orders
of God and His Prophet," read one posting under the handle
Ansurul Ummah.
Another participant, Abu Abdullah Asy Syami, posted: "Jihad
will never stop, even if our own caliph dies."
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison made a similar
observation, and said Baghdadi's death was by no means the end.
"This is a many-headed monster ... As you cut one off,
another one inevitably arises," he told reporters.
Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim-majority country, is
grappling with a resurgence in militancy and has detained
hundreds of suspects this year under tightened anti-terrorism
laws.
Authorities believe thousands of Indonesians draw
inspiration from Islamic State and about 500 are thought to have
joined the group in Syria.
Indonesia's intelligence agency said it was ready for
retaliation and though Baghdadi's death would be a psychological
blow, Islamic State would have a successor in place.
"It is a war. Usually, there must be a counterattack or the
like. When it comes to security, we are sure that we will secure
this country," said its spokesman, Wawan Purwanto.
Security analyst Rommel Banlaoi said Baghdadi's demise and
uncertainty about the leadership could undermine operations of
Islamic State loyalists seeking to regroup and establish their
own territory in Southeast Asia.
"Pro-ISIS groups in the Philippines will surely re-examine
their roles in the post-Baghdadi era," he said.