Shefali Rekhi – Two visiting Indonesian lawmakers dismissed the problem of militancy and terrorism in their country as "not a big deal" yesterday.

House of Representatives member and Partai Keadilan Islamic party vice-chairman Irwan Prayitno and People's Consultative Assembly Deputy Speaker Agus Widjojo, charged that Singapore and neighbouring countries had become unduly perturbed.

They claimed militants such as Jafaar Umar Thalib and Abu Bakar Bashir had a following of "about 100 people".

Questioning the accuracy of reports that Indonesian groups were part of international militant networks and had received funding, Mr Irwan said: "These groups ask for donations on the roadside. The Singapore media has blown up the issue."

Lt-Gen Agus said that most of the militant expressions had to do with cultural Islam – people speaking up after years of repression. "We still have to believe that they will move to political Islam," he said.

He said militancy, and the country's ability to deal with it, had to be understood in the context of the political realities that the ruling party was a coalition and these were problems arising as Indonesia became democratised. The two legislators gave their views at a panel discussion on the future of Indonesia's Islam organised by Singapore's Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies.

Countering their comments, National University of Singapore Professor Leo Suryadinata referred to growing political violence in Indonesia that was causing concern among its neighbours. "There should be ways to allay concerns," he said.