Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has reminded Indonesians that "sweeping" of Malaysians will not resolve problems but only create new ones.

He said the 1.8 million Indonesians working and studying in Malaysia were worried by the excessive reaction from a small number of Indonesians following a cultural spat.

"I have received SMSes from our people working in Malaysia which among others said: "Mr President, please find an amicable solution to the problem with Malaysia," he was quoted as saying on a newspaper website on Thursday.

Speaking after chairing the cabinet meeting yesterday, Susilo was quoted on his website as saying that 'sweeping' of Malaysians was an act of force and against the law, particularly when Muslims in both countries were observing fasting.

He was commenting on action by a group of Indonesians calling themselves Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat (Bendera) for "sweeping" Malaysians on streets armed with sharpened bamboo sticks.

Malaysia had aired concerns over the safety of 5,600 students taking medicine in Indonesian universities.

- Bernama