The defence minister, better known as Mat Sabu, said Malaysia and Indonesia had built a strong bilateral relationship, especially in defence matters.

“Cooperation between the two nations had always been good and we will not allow the incident to jeopardise our relationship,” he said after the 52nd Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (Perhebat) convocation ceremony here today.

A daily reported today that five Malaysians, aged between 15 and 64, were kidnapped in the forest located about 400 metres from the Serian-Kalimantan border.

It was reported that the Malaysians were detained by several armed men dressed in military fatigues who accused them of cutting down trees in the forest area. The five were, however, released a few days later following negotiations at the border.

Malaysia has sent a protest note to Jakarta condemning the mistreatment and detention of its citizens by the Indonesian security forces. The protest note was sent through the Indonesian embassy here last Friday.