A prominent Indonesian official has added to the war of words with Malaysia by dismissing Foreign Affairs Minister Syed Hamid Albar's travel advice to Malaysians against visiting the republic as an "over-reaction".

Indonesia's Antara news agency today quoted Akbar Tandjung Speaker of the lower house of Parliament as saying that Syed Hamid did not have to advise Malaysians to stop visiting Indonesia, since bilateral relations have not deteriorated beyond repair.

However, Indonesia's National Assembly chairperson Amien Rais was reported by Kompas Cyber Media , to have welcomed Malaysia's decision to stop its nationals from traveling to Indonesia although he had his own reasons.

The Malaysian government's advice was issued after demonstrators pulled down the main gates of its diplomatic mission in Jakarta yesterday and burnt the Malaysian flag.

Action and reaction

Akbar reportedly said that Indonesians "find it difficult to accept the (poor) treatment given by Malaysian leaders to our nationals especially since they are to be whipped".

However, this does not mean that we are now enemies with Malaysia, he said. "Even if Malaysia feels that there are too many Indonesian migrant workers, they can be returned but in a friendly manner."

Meanwhile, Amien was quoted as saying that he felt it would be good to "let things cool".

"Malaysia should realise that each action brings a reaction. It is impossible for us to just keep quiet (on the migrant workers issue)," he was reported as saying.

Amien also called on Malaysian leaders to reflect on their actions to find why it felt the need to take such action against (nationals of) a neighbouring country.

"It must be that Malaysia has done something bad against us, and therefore, now fears retribution," he said.

Anwar beaten too

Amien also claimed that Malaysia has set a precedent for hurting those detained, judging by the treatment of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

"How can Anwar, who was once respected, be jailed, beaten until his face was blue-black with bruises? This was the treatment to one who was the second most respected person in the country," he said.

"If this is how they treat important people in Malaysia, what more (would they do) against migrant workers who are considered illegal immigrants."

The National Assembly chairperson had earlier rapped Malaysia over what he called the "inhumane" and "torturous" caning of Indonesian illegal immigrants.

In response to the criticism, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had expressed his displeasure by saying that he does not conduct relations with "countries like that".

Amien had also been rebuked by Syed Hamid last Thursday for criticising Malaysian laws instead of taking responsibility for the high unemployment level in Indonesia.

Deportation, not whipping

Meanwhile, PAS International Relations Bureau chief Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli called for calm so as not to further jeopardise relations between the two sides.

"PAS is worried that matters will become more chronic as people have already started demonstrating in Indonesia," he told malaysiakini .

Hatta also urged the government to reconsider the amended Immigration Act 2002, which provides for caning of illegal immigrants.

"I think deportation is (acceptable) but not whipping, as it will sour bilateral relations," he said.

Clause against torture

In a related matter, the Indonesian government is said to be working on a framework for a bilateral agreement on migrant labour issues to be signed with Malaysia.

According to the Consortium for Indonesian Migrant Workers' Defense (Kopbumi), the framework is expected to be ready by next month.

"Kopbumi representatives had been asked to assist government officials including the foreign minister and labour minister on this matter," said Kopbumi's executive secretary Wahyu Susilo in a telephone interview.

Wahyu said labour activists will be pushing for the government to include a clause forbidding actions that would constitute torture against Indonesian citizens working in Malaysia.

Other issues that would be considered for bilateral discussions include minimum wage requirements, work conditions, and an end to the practice of Malaysian employers in holding the passports of migrant workers.