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JAKARTA, Oct 21 (AF) - Indonesia's two largest Islamic organisations have given crucial backing for a sweeping new anti-terrorism decree rushed through in the wake of the devastating Bali bombing, a report said Monday.

"We badly need such regulations to prevent terror attacks," said Hasyim Muzadi who chairs the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Indonesian Muslim organisation with about 40 million members.

In the wake of the October 12 terror bombing in the resort island of Bali, the Indonesian government armed itself with tough powers Saturday, including the death penalty to fight terrorism and detention without trial.

The support of the NU and the Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second largest Islamic group with 30 million members, could help dampen any backlash from radicals who suspect the emergency powers are aimed at them.

"Police need a legal umbrella to combat terrorism, otherwise they will be powerless," Muhammadiyah chairman Ahmad Syafii Maarif said.

The government, under fire for months for its perceived soft approach to extremists, was galvanised into action by the Bali bombing which left more than 180 dead and hundreds wounded.

The emergency anti-terrorism decree was made retroactive to cover the bombing.

"Without the rulings, we will not be able to prevent terrorism," Muzadi told the Jakarta Post.

The existing penal code "cannot fight terrorism because it allows arrests on the basis of hard evidence. It means action can be taken only after an incident," he said.

"If there are violations (of the regulations) we will correct them."

Maarif said that parliament, the media, non-governmental groups and the public must act as watchdogs to make sure the new regulations are not abused and urged the government to prevent "arrest based on subjective evidence."

Muzadi said anyone who resorts to violence, even in the name of religion, must face justice.

"If those so-called radicals do not do anything against the law, they should not worry," he said.

The majority of Muslims in the world's largest Muslim-populated nation follow a moderate form of Islam.

But small groups of vocal hardliners and radicals have made the headlines with their involvement in sectarian unrest in several areas of Indonesia or for their violent raids on entertainment spots in various cities.

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