Robert Go, Jakarta – There is a growing backlash here against perceived attempts by the United States and neighbouring South-east Asian nations to pressure Indonesia into cracking down on domestic Islamic militants.

At the weekend, several top figures including Vice-President Hamzah Haz and other members of parliament questioned the motives of the US, British and Canadian embassies in Jakarta, which have issued warnings to travellers on possible anti-Westerner action in Yogyakarta and Surakarta, two popular tourist areas in Central Java.

Mr Hamzah said in Yogyakarta yesterday: "So far we have not discovered that threat. If the US has such data, please share so our agencies and the police can investigate. The police force has not found any terrorist in Indonesia. If there is no proof that terrorists are here, then don't get creative and come up with fictitious evidence in order to pit one group against another."

MPs, especially those from Central Java, and Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X have also come out with guarantees of safety for foreign travellers to the region, with some dismissing the embassies' warnings as paranoia.

Yogyakarta and Surakarta are famous for their cultural attractions. They are also the home bases of prominent Muslim leaders including cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, who is accused of being Jemaah Islamiah's spiritual leader, and several radical groups including Laskar Jihad, which has participated in religious strife in violence-torn Maluku.

Scepticism about American intelligence reports, which have described Indonesia as potentially fertile ground for Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups, has so far come mainly from Muslim leaders or politicians with ties to Islamic parties.

But analysts and secular figures are warning that Indonesia's predominantly moderate Muslims could be provoked into more radical reactions if they believe that their nation is being singled out and constantly criticised by the US and neighbours as a country that harbours terrorists.

The national news agency Antara quoted Mr Hasyim Muzadi, head of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Muslim organisation with more than 40 million members, as saying: "If Indonesia is continuously bothered, certain parties, including moderate elements, may take adversary actions against the United States." Speaking on the sidelines of a conference on Saturday, he also claimed that Washington had employed "various propaganda tricks" against Indonesia, including leaking CIA reports that alleged assassination plots against President Megawati Sukarnoputri and warning its citizens of potential anti-Western campaigns in a popular tourist area in Central Java.

Sociologist Imam Prasodjo, who has focused much of his recent work on the sectarian conflicts that have erupted in various parts of Indonesia, agreed that the US had to be careful as it urged Jakarta to step up anti-terror investigations and arrests.

He told The Straits Times: "Indonesia's Muslims are moderate ... but direct and forceful demands for Jakarta to arrest prominent Muslim figures without iron-clad proof of connection to terrorism could very easily stir up a backlash and give people reasons to express anti-American sentiments."