JAKARTA - Top Indonesian security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called for calm on Wednesday in a dispute with Malaysia and said his government was not seeking revenge for its deportation of Indonesian workers.

"The government of Indonesia has no policy of revenge such as alleged by some people," Yudhoyono told reporters, denying that the recent arrest of Malaysians in Medan was an act of revenge.

"I feel that these comments from the Malaysian side are already disproportionate," he said.

Yudhoyono said police arrested 12 foreigners, including several Malaysians, during a raid on a bar in the city in North Sumatra last week but the foreigners were later all released.

"If we respect the legal system in Malaysia, Malaysia should also respect our legal system here," he said.

Insulting punishment

Malaysia's decision to cane and jail illegal immigrants following the expiry of an amnesty has angered some Indonesians.

The chairman of the national assembly, Amien Rais, has called the punishment "inhuman" and an insult to Indonesia. The Malaysian flag was burnt and a gate toppled during a protest outside the embassy on Monday.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar on Tuesday urged Jakarta to ensure the security of its citizens. He has advised Malaysians to avoid travelling to Indonesia although Jakarta says Malaysians here are perfectly safe.

Following the July 31 expiry of the amnesty, more than 300,000 illegal migrants - most of them Indonesians - left Malaysia.

Courts have since then sentenced dozens of those who failed to leave to whipping and jail.

"We urge everyone to be cautious so that the good ties we have already forged can be well maintained," Yudhoyono said. AFP