A leading Australian research firm has dismissed as "very wrong" and "potentially dangerous" the findings of a US-based think tank that concluded the majority of Indonesian Muslims wanted Shariah to become the law of the land.

Roy Morgan Research, which claims to be the only research organization in the country to "continuously monitor opinions on Shariah-related issues," said in a statement on Wednesday that the findings from the survey released earlier this month by the Pew Research Center differed substantially from its own findings.

"The trend-line representing those Muslims who believe that 'Islamic Shariah law should be implemented in my area' never reaches the 72 percent reported in the Pew report," the statement said.

"Far from it. The highest point is 45, as it stands today. In other words, the overwhelming majority of Muslims do not want Shariah law introduced. This, despite the fact that Shariah is intrinsically woven into the teachings of Islam."

Roy Morgan also found differences in the number of people who approved of corporal punishment for certain crimes, as prescribed under Shariah.

"Compared to Pew's 48 percent in favor, Roy Morgan results show only 36 percent want 'those committing adultery [to] be whipped to death in public,'" the statement said.

"As for 'thieves should be punished by having their hand cut off,' Pew finds 45 percent in favor in contrast with Roy Morgan's 36 percent. In other words, Indonesian Muslims who favor prescribed corporal punishment are in the absolute minority."

Roy Morgan said its data was based on years of monthly interviews with more than 2,000 respondents nationwide, whereas the Pew survey was based on interviews with 1,880 Indonesians in October and November 2011.

Debnath Guharoy, Roy Morgan Research's regional director for Asia, said the Pew survey gave a flawed outcome because of its one-off nature, whereas the Australian firm's own findings were grounded in years of continuous research.

"We have a great deal of respect for the Pew Research Center and the fine work they do. This time, in Indonesia, they got it wrong, very wrong. With potentially dangerous consequences," he said.

"A one-off study in a homogenous society like Australia has a higher degree of reliability than in a country like Indonesia, where the socio-economic differences just across the street can be great. A continuous study is the only way to raise the degree of reliability of surveys, anywhere, but especially in developing countries."

Roy Morgan said that the headlines prompted by the Pew findings were "sensational news," adding that it was "no wonder the MUI [Indonesian Council of Ulema] is pleased with the findings. To [Islamic] fundamentalists and extremists, this is reason to celebrate."

One of the few similarities was the fact that their respective findings were projected to represent the views of around 87 percent of Indonesia's population.