(AFP) - Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to increase the sharing of military intelligence to combat terrorism, Defence minister Najib Tun Razak said.

This reflected a strong political commitment by both countries towards curbing terror attacks, he told a joint news conference with his visiting Indonesian counterpart Matori Abdul Djalil late yesterday.

"There are some specific suggestions (on combating terrorism) but it does not necessitate public announcement," he was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Najib said the two sides had always worked together in anti-terrorism work but needed to strengthen cooperation in the light of recent developments.

He said he and Matori had not discussed specific cases, such as that of Muslim cleric Ustad Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, who was questioned by Indonesian police for two days last week.

Malaysia alleges the cleric plays a major role in Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia which it accuses of seeking the violent overthrow of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's government.

Cooperation necessary

During questioning Ba'asyir denied links to prime terror suspect Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda organisation, but hailed bin Laden as "a true Muslim fighter".

"We did not focus on specific individuals," Najib said. "If the person is in a particular country we leave it to the country concerned to take reponsibility."

Matori said efforts to combat terrorism effectively needed the cooperation of all 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia.

The exchange of military intelligence was necessary to ensure anticipatory steps could be taken against possible threats of terrorism.

"We welcome the efforts by both countries to cooperate and to undertake approriate and suitable measures in combating international terrorism," he said.