[One of Indonesia's largest and most militant militias, the Laskar Jihad, has been publicly disbanded in a surprise development which took place just hours before the Bali bombings. Analysts say the radical group had lost the backing of an influential body of islamic clerics. But perhaps more importantly, hardliners in the Indonesian military accused of supporting the Laskar Jihad, may also have withdrawn their backing.]

Transcript:

Fitzgerald: At a court case in Jakarta a few months ago, Laskar Jihad or Holy War followers rallied behind their leader Jaffar Umar Thalib.

He stood accused of fermenting religious hatred in Ambon and across the Maluku Islands and of insulting President Megawati, offences he claimed were trumped up by his Christian enemies.

The charges came two years after the Laskar Jihad leader dispatched thousands of white robed armed warriors to the Maluku Islands where they supported local Muslims in a conflict against Christians.

That conflict resulted in the deaths of more than six thousand people and forced three quarters of a million civilians to flee their homes.

Mr Lambang Trijono is a specialist in Islamic extremists at the Gadja Mada University, in Yogjakarta, where the militia's headquarters are. He says the Laskar Jihad members were told Saturday the militia was disbanding.

Lambang: "In the evening ... on Saturday evening they declared themselves that they predict that the Laskar Jihad will be disbanding. The declaration is not declared by the chief of Laskar Jihad, but by the representative of the chief in the central organisation."

Fitzgerald: In Jogjakarta?

Lambang: "Yes Jogjakarta."

Fitzgerald: So did he call the members to the office and then told them the organisation was disbanding?

Lambang: "Yes and then distributed a kind of paper – two pieces of paper and then distributed them to their members. "

Fitzgerald: The Laskar Jihad has gone on to lead conflicts against Christians in Indonesian Sulawesi and Papua. It's partially funded by an international body of Islamic clerics or Ulamas.

Mr Lambang says Saturday's closure came after the clerics withdrew support from Jaffar Umar Thalib because he was in conflict with the Indonesian Government.

Lambang: "Because their consensus among Ulama that during the confrontation with the regime or with the government and the chief of the Laskar Jihad have had confrontation or conflict with the govenment."

Fitzgerald: Donors in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and an Islamic community in New Jersey in the United States were financing the Laskar Jihad through the international Ulama's body.

But Mr Lambang says powerful retired generals including former armed services chief General Wiranto were also assisting and equipping the Laskar Jihad.

Lambang: "Hardliners ... or what I call hardliners in the military factions and also supplied the weapon and also support ... not money but support politically ... giving guarantee that the Laskar Jihad will be protected by the hardliners of the military, so that kind of support. So political support and also kind of infrastructure support like a weapon and so on."

Fitzgerald: If hardline Generals were involved in the Laskar Jihad, then was the abrupt closure of the group just hours before the Bali bombings, more than a coincidence?

Especially given that elements of the military may have grudges to bear against Australia, because of its role in helping to secure East Timor's independence.

Lambang: "Yes, that is suspicious, yes very suspicious. It makes sense to make a connection like that, because before they even dissolved ... you know ... yes very suspicious actually."

Fitzgerald: Mr Lambang says the alleged high level military support being offered to the Laskar Jihad will ensure its leaders and supporters are protected from prosecution.

Lambang: Ah it's very difficult to predict, but you know in Indonesia you sort of got patron-client relationship ... followers and leaders. I think the followers of Laskar Jihad will dissolve – again they'll ask those in the government who used to support them to protect them."