JAKARTA - Indonesian police have travelled to the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia to try to build a new terrorism case against Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, a senior official said today.

"The team has already questioned witnesses in the Philippines a while ago, was in Singapore for the second time earlier this month and is currently in Malaysia to question witnesses there," police anti-terrorism director Pranowo told AFP .

He declined to give details.

Police say they have new evidence that Bashir headed the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). They say he will be charged with involvement in its terror attacks between 1999-2002 - including the Bali nightclub bombings which killed 202 people.

Bashir, who is being held at national police headquarters, was rearrested on April 30 moments after completing a prison sentence for immigration violations.

Prosecutors at his trial last year used video-link testimony from terror suspects detained in Malaysia and Singapore to try he prove he was "emir" or leader of JI.

Bashir will not apply for bail

The court last September jailed Bashir for four years for involvement in a JI plot to overthrow the government but said there was no proof he led the network.

An appeal court overturned the treason conviction but ruled that Bashir must serve three years for immigration-related offences. The Supreme Court halved that sentence.

Bashir's lawyers said he will not allow them to seek a temporary release on humanitarian grounds.

"He has a strong opinion, a principle, that his arrest and detention have no legal basis and are only because of the demand of the US side," said Muhammad Assegaff.

He said the Muslim cleric would not let them file a motion for a temporary release because he will not "beg to be freed."

Radical and some moderate Muslim groups believe Jakarta is bowing to US pressure to put Bashir on trial again.

Several legislators last week agreed to sign a letter guaranteeing that Bashir, 65, would not flee and demanding his release pending trial. - AFP