Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill today voiced support for Malaysia's use of a tough security law to detain without trial dozens of suspected local militants.

"Extraordinary responses" were needed to deal with "those that are not prepared to accept the norms of reasonable behaviour," Hill told reporters after meeting his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak.

"In effectively combating terrorism, sometimes you've got to err on the side of the protection of your community, even if it is at some cost to civil liberties," he said.

"I've argued that you may take preemptive measures and administrative actions that don't curb civil liberties, but should endeavour to ensure that you don't go further than is necessary," he said.

"The decison where that line should be drawn is a decison we all have to make."

Malaysia has detained 62 suspected militants allegedly linked to the al-Qaeda network blamed for the Sept 11 attacks in the United States under the Internal Security Act (ISA) allowing detention without trial.

But critics have accused the government of using the ISA to squash dissent as some of the 62 were members of the opposition Islamic party.

Working closely

Hill said Australia was also drawing up new laws to give new powers to its key intelligence agency to counter terrorism, including detaining suspects for two days without legal representation.

On Malaysia's ISA which allows a person to be detained indefinitely without trial, he said it was not in his place to "dictate to Malaysia what is an appropriate period of time for holding somebody."

Hill said Australia pledged to "work very closely" with Malaysia in the anti-terrorism war during talks with Najib.

"We are both equally committed to achieve a world that is less threatened by terrorist activity. We agreed on how improving intelligence exchange between us, learning from each other's experiences can strengthen the hand of each of us," he said.

He said Southeast Asian countries could strengthen their position against terrorists by increasing the exchange of intelligence.

Hill said the threat of terrorism "may seem more threatening now because we are in the know of the greater risks involved but on the other hand, it is less threatening because action is being taken against it."

Unlikely to join US

Asked if Australia would join US troops to be deployed in the southern Philippines to train and assist Filipinos forces pursuing the Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebels, Hill said it was unlikely.

"I can't envision a situation at this moment when that is likely to occur but obviously it would only be on invitation ... and under the umbrella of the US as the leader of the coalition force against terrorism.

Hill, who arrived here late Wednesday for a three-day trip, leaves Friday for Singapore to attend an international security conference.