Radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, the spiritual leader of the terrorist group responsible for the 2002 Bali bombings, has said he is still fighting for Indonesia, ahead of his expected release from prison next week.

Key points: Indonesian President Joko Widodo said the release was decided for "humanitarian considerations"

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said the release was decided for "humanitarian considerations" Bashir was convicted in 2011 for setting up a paramilitary training camp in Aceh province

Bashir was convicted in 2011 for setting up a paramilitary training camp in Aceh province In March 2018, Julie Bishop described Bashir as the "mastermind" of the 2002 Bali attacks

President Joko Widodo, who is under pressure from political opponents who claim he is not Islamic enough, confirmed the news, saying he personally considered the decision for a "long time".

"This release was decided because of humanitarian considerations and also related to his health care," Mr Widodo said.

Frail, with missing teeth and walking with a cane, the 81-year-old Bashir said he was still fighting for Indonesia, "this God blessed-country".

"I fight because I want this country to be saved, for both Muslims and non-Muslims living in this world," he said from prison.

"So, do not get it wrong. I do not fight against this country. Instead I fight for this country, this God-blessed country."

Eighty-eight Australians were killed in the attacks on Bali's Sari nightclub in 2002. ( Supplied: Bill Hardy )

Adek Kusmanto, a spokesman for the Directorate General of Correctional Facilities, said Bashir is yet to sign a letter declaring his loyalty to Indonesia, as required for his parole.

In a statement to the ABC, Mr Kusmanto said the Governor of Gunung Sindur Prison hasn't yet submitted a recommendation for parole to the Directorate General.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison responded to the news by saying he had "deep reservations" and had contacted the Indonesian Government.

"Australia's position on this matter has not changed; we've always expressed the deepest of reservations," he said.

"We are partners when it comes to countering terrorism and religious extremism and we will continue to do that and we will continue to engage directly with the Indonesian Government on this very sensitive matter, but I don't think it assists by engaging in the process in a public way."

In a post on Facebook, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the legal adviser to Mr Widodo's election campaign, said it was time for Bashir to be released "without burdensome conditions".

Bashir was convicted in 2011 for setting up a paramilitary training camp in the province of Aceh.

If released next week, as expected, Bashir will have served only nine years of the 15-year sentence.

Despite his arrest soon after the 2002 Bali bombings, Bashir was never directly linked to the attack that left 202 people dead, including 88 Australians, when explosions ripped through Paddy's Bar and the Sari club in Kuta.

Earlier this year, conservative Muslim cleric Maaruf Amin, who is now Mr Widodo's running mate in the upcoming presidential elections, argued Bashir deserved clemency because of his age and poor health.

At the time, Australia urged Indonesia against any leniency.

In March 2018, former foreign minister Julie Bishop's office described Bashir as the "mastermind" behind the attacks.

Ms Bishop's office said in a statement that Australians expected justice to continue to be served to "the full extent that Indonesian law allows".

"Abu Bakar Bashir should never be allowed to incite others to carry other future attacks against innocent civilians," the statement added.

Bashir was eligible for parole once two-thirds of his sentence had been carried out. ( Reuters: Beawiharta )

But professor of Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University Greg Barton said Bashir was not a significant threat today.

"The best way to describe Bashir at this time is as a washed-up and pathetic figure," he said.

"Pathetic in the sense that he has no real charisma or control over people. He's not a mastermind.

"But more importantly, pathetic in the sense that he's been very open about encouraging people to engage in violent jihad, yet refusing to take any moral responsibility for that."

In Indonesia, parole can be granted once two-thirds of a sentence has been carried out.