Robert Go, Jakarta – The newly-proposed National Security Council (DKN) provides President Megawati Sukarnoputri's government with a layer of protection from possible Islamic and nationalist backlash, if and when it steps up action against domestic terror threats.

But, given the political elite's conflicting agendas and the high level of backroom deal-making that goes on in Jakarta, the key question remains how effective this new body would be in accomplishing its stated purposes.

There are indications that Jakarta is ready to crack down on those alleged to have ties with the Al-Qaeda and regional terror networks such as the Jemaah Islamiyah.

After months of denials, top officials admitted recently that foreign terror operatives have played a role in Indonesian conflict areas.

Analysts now argue that the DKN, to be headed by the President, could enable arrests. The new body is not only a government initiative, but also involves the Parliament, which includes several Islam-based parties. Additionally, its focus is not just combating terrorism but also covers separatism, sectarian strife and other domestic security problems.

When DKN issues recommendations to make arrests or question radical Muslim figures, it would be perceived as an action taken after the entire political elite has reached consensus, and less as an anti-Islam move by the government.

The council's broad mission and likely composition will also help dilute criticism that Jakarta is kowtowing to the United States or Indonesia's neighbours.

Although the details are not known, the DKN is likely to include members of the security Cabinet, military, police and intelligence bodies.

Mr Arbi Sanit, a political analyst at the University of Indonesia, said: "This could be a first move towards prosecuting more radical figures. Such an initiative would be too risky for the executive branch alone, so it needs such a council and Parliament backing."

Just how effective would the DKN be? Already, analysts warn that any charge against radical figures here would have to be based on domestic developments. A security source said: "The difficulty is in establishing how these suspects are tied to domestic events. Saying that so and so has ties to Al-Qaeda won't be enough."

A case in point, experts said, was the Christmas Eve bombings in 2000 that hit 19 churches in various parts of the country, killing 17 and wounding 100. Failure to establish such a link could lead to accusations that Indonesia is not standing up to overseas pressure.

Mr Umar Juoro, head of the Centre for Information and Development Studies, said another stumbling block is the lack of demonstrated political will to prosecute Islamic figures.

In trying to woo Muslim voters, some of Indonesia's top politicians are keen to project the idea that they will protect the community's prominent figures, including those with alleged links to terrorist activities.

Mr Umar argued: "Ultimately, it's up to the executive branch to initiate arrests. This council is consultative in nature ... If the government cannot reach a consensus on its own and move forward on those decisions, this council is useless."