Indonesia's president today called for justice for his country's workers who have been abused by their Malaysian employers, after a string of cases has soured relations between the neighbours.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono spoke after talks with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, during a visit that has been dominated by the issue of mistreatment of Indonesian workers here.

"Our aim is justice must be upheld, and we also need to work together and get help from Malaysia for Indonesian workers who are working here," Yudhoyono told a joint press conference.

"We must determine that their safety, security and rights are protected well," he said. "Whenever there is a case, whoever is in the wrong must be prosecuted."

Malaysia is home to some 1.2 million documented Indonesian workers, as well as an illegal workforce estimated to take the figure up to 2 million.

Relations have been dogged by a series of spats including the labour issue as well as the beating of an Indonesian referee here, and a row over the origins of a folk song popular in both countries.

Several cases of serious assault and murder of maids are currently before Malaysian courts, but critics say progress is too slow and employers rarely face punishment.

High-level committee

Andreas Pareira, a member of the Indonesian parliament's foreign affairs commission, said this week that bilateral ties were "at the worst point" in the past four decades, the Antara state-run news agency reported.

Abdullah said the two countries would establish a high-level committee of 14 "eminent persons" to address troublesome issues including foreign workers as well as culture, the economy and religion.

"The group will be able to raise issues within their body and give views to their own countries so that we can determine what needs to be done and can act on it," he said.

He also called for a mechanism for media representatives from the two countries to meet regularly, to avoid "sensational reporting" that he said had whipped up public anger.

"If both sides get a better understanding and background to the situation... there will be... more moderate reporting that will not affect the good relations between Indonesia and Malaysia," he said.

During the talks, the countries agreed to form a joint commission tasked with seeking ways to promote trade and investment.