Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak has refuted an Indonesian news report that he had apologised to the republic's defence attache in Kuala Lumpur over the incident in which the two countries' ships had brushed against each other in a disputed area in the Sulawesi Sea.

He said in a statement, carried by Bernama today, that "I was shocked and disappointed when I read the report because it's not true, is concocted and irresponsible".

The deputy premier was commenting on a report in the Kompas newspaper Friday which quoted Indonesian navy information chief First Admiral Abdul Malik Yusuf as saying that Najib, as defence minister, had orally extended his apology to the Indonesian defence attache here, Colonel Hartind Hazrin, over the incident.

Kompas reported Abdul Malik as saying that the apology was later conveyed to its Eastern Fleet Commandant, First Admiral Soeparno.

Last Sunday, the Malaysian navy's patrol vessel KD Rencong and Indonesia's KRI Tedung Naga warship "brushed" against each other while on patrol, causing damage to both ships.

Najib said he never met nor talked to Hartind on the incident.

No reason to apologise

"So, there's no question of me asking the military officer to extend my apology to the Indonesian government regarding the incident, either orally or in writing.

"Moreover, there's no reason for me to apologise over the matter because the presence in the Royal Malaysian Navy ship in the area disputed by the two countries is not an offence," he said.

Najib stressed that both countries had agreed to settle the dispute through negotiations.

He said Hartind would be called to explain the news report to Defence Intelligence Director-General Lt-Jen Datuk Wan Abu Bakar Omar.

Kompas must also make an open apology to the people of Malaysia over the publication of the unethical and unfounded report, the deputy premier added.