The Indonesian government has asked Malaysian troops engage in relief work in Aceh to leave the province, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said today.

"They (the Indonesian government) have requested us to take steps to bring back our troops from there. We are reducing the presence of our military personnel there.

"In a short while, all of them will be back," he told a press conference at the Parliament House after launching a new website for the government's backbenchers club in Kuala Lumpur.

Asked on the time frame of the withdrawal, he replied: "As soon as possible".

Najib, who is also defence minister, said due to the latest development, the Malaysian troops' initial plan to build an orphanage in the province and other projects have to be handed over to private companies.

He did not provide any specific reason behind the Indonesian government's request.

Bilateral tensions

Malaysia-Indonesia bilateral relations grew tensed recently over Malaysia's poorly-managed crackdown on illegal immigrants and the Sulawesi sea oil row .

At the height of the oil dispute, Indonesia had dispatched warships to the area while some Indonesian protestors burnt Malaysian flags in the republic.

Indonesia's envoy to Malaysia, KPH Rusdihardjo, who issued an apology over the flag burning incident was rebuked by the Indonesian Parliament for doing so.

Both the countries have subsequently agreed to pursue the matter through a series of peace talks.

In January, Najib said Malaysian troops would continue humanitarian aid in Aceh "for as long as necessary and for as long as our presence is welcomed".

He said Asean troops were allowed to remain indefinitely and did not required to adhere to the March 26 deadline given by Jakarta to troops from western nations.