JAKARTA, July 24 (UPI) -- Al-Qaida networks in Indonesia are moving away from a centralized network to a franchised mode of operations, defense experts say.

Policy experts in the region say al-Qaida has moved away from cooperation with groups such as Jemaah Islamiyah, as indicated by a decline in large-scale attacks, Adnkronos International reported Thursday.

The International Crisis Group's Sidney Jones and Australian University's Greg Fealey said regional security officials need to shift their focus away from formal terrorist organizations in the region toward decentralized activities.

"These networks of people can be based around economic activity, around education, around religious activity, around mosque groups. This is a way that people can keep the jihadist flame flickering," Fealey said.

Both analysts said al-Qaida activity in Southeast Asia is on the decline, but more localized attacks attributed to a figure known only as "Jafar the Algerian" are on the rise.