Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to boost efforts to combat crime, particularly arms smuggling and "militant activity", along their maritime borders, Malaysian marine police said today.

"We have agreed to have a more effective exchange of intelligence on criminal activities at the maritime border," marine police commander Muhamad Muda told AFP .

"Any sort of crime, be it arms smuggling or militant activity, is to be taken seriously as they could affect the security of both countries. We want to make sure we work together to fight these."

Malaysia and Thailand have both been active against members of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah (JI) terrorist movement blamed for the Bali and Jakarta bomb attacks in neighbouring Indonesia.

Piracy control

Malaysia has detained more than 90 alleged Islamic militants over the past two years, while suspected top JI commander Hambali was arrested in Thailand last month.

Muhamad was speaking after meeting southern Thailand's Tak Bai marine police chief, Wuttipong Somjai and his deputy Upon Miboon at the Malaysia-Thai border.

He said the piracy situation in the Malaysian section of the Malacca Strait, where international shipping has been listed as a possible terrorist target, was "under control".

"The Malacca Strait is our top priority and we have taken the necessary actions to prevent any attacks on ships in Malaysian waters there," he said.

About 600 ships, including tankers, daily ply the narrow strait which separates Malaysia and Indonesia. - AFP