Malaysia and Indonesia agreed today to intensify cooperation to curb the influx of illegal Indonesian migrants to Malaysia, where a 17-day amnesty programme is underway.

Jakarta would make it easier for labourers keen to work in Malaysia to obtain work permits, Indonesian Manpower Minister Fahmi Idris told reporters after a two-hour meeting with Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Azmi Khalid.

He said the Indonesian consulate in Kuala Lumpur would speed up the issuance of travel documents so illegal workers in Malaysia could leave before the amnesty period ends Nov 14.

"We agree that the illegals must return home even though it will cause unemployment in Indo to go up. We want to reduce the number of illegals in Malaysia. We in Indonesia will give the right documents so that they can enter Malaysia to work legally," he said.

Fahmi said the problems of illegals were especially serious in the agriculture sector and urged Malaysia to take tougher action on those who employ illegal workers.

Warships may be dispatched

If necessary, he said Indonesia would send some of its warships to repatriate the illegal migrants.

Azmi, who has complained that illegal migrants were slow to respond to the amnesty, said he expected more Indonesians to leave ahead of the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

"Please don't wait until the last minute because it will lead to a lot of congestion," he said.

Fewer than 10,000 illegal immigrants, mainly from Indonesia, had returned home since Friday when the plan started, well below the government's target of around 400,000 people.

If they do not leave they face jail sentences of up to five years or fines of up to RM10,000, or both, plus whipping. Azmi has warned there would be a nationwide hunt for illegals when the amnesty period ends.

There are an estimated 1.2 million illegal immigrants in Malaysia, mainly from neighbouring Indonesia and the Philippines, drawn by jobs in construction, plantation and services.