Bhimanto Suwastoyo

That's because other key figures of the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group remain on the run, says an anti-terror official.

In late night talks in Jakarta, the foreign ministers of both nations agreed to stand down following a military escalation which erupted after Malaysia last month granted an oil exploration concession in disputed waters.

Observers say that despite the neighbours' close historical, ethnic and religious links, the recent bout of sabre-rattling on top of other festering complaints could unleash greater antipathy.