A visit to Malaysia today by Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer is expected to mark the start of a thaw in the sometimes tetchy relationship between the two countries.

Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad led resistance to Australia's attempts to play a role in regional political forums, dismissing the country as the "deputy sheriff" of the United States and not truly Asian.

But new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who took over when Mahathir retired last October, has a far less confrontational style and Downer's visit is seen here as signalling a change in approach.

"The relationship during Mahathir's time was emotionally-driven," said Abdul Razak Baginda, executive director of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre.

"The problems were not caused by fundamentals, but by differing global viewpoints. Downer's visit definitely signals the beginning of a warming of relations, particularly now that Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is at the helm," he told AFP .

Downer will not meet Abdullah, who is in the United States, but will hold talks with his deputy, Najib Razak, who is also defence minister, as well as with Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

Issues to be discussed include a proposed summit meeting between the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Australia and New Zealand, and a possible free trade area involving the same countries, Downer said in a statement.

"The Australian government has welcomed these developments, which reflect our successful and broad engagement in our region," he said.

Red carpet treatment

At the meeting with Najib, Downer added, he would "discuss developments in our broad-ranging defence and security cooperation".

"Australia continues to promote regional cooperation on counter-terrorism and we are working actively to strengthen regional capacity."

Downer will also visit the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism, which was established last year to build regional defences against militant attacks.

Abdul Razak said that in the past "Malaysia has frustrated Australia's attempts at playing a role in Asia. Malaysia saw Australia as a conduit of the United States while Australia saw itself as a legitimate player in the region.

"It is high time that relations should be based on fundamentals rather than emotions. We have history between us, strategic ties in trade, politics, education and so on."

He said it was "important to note that Downer is being given the red carpet treatment, in being given access to the top leadership in the form of the deputy prime minister as the prime minister is away."

After his two-day visit to Malaysia, Downer goes on to Singapore. - AFP