Malaysia's foreign minister said Tuesday that relations with neighbouring Thailand were still strong despite growing tension over the fate of more than 130 Thai Muslims sheltering in Malaysia.

"Our relationship with Thailand at the bilateral level goes beyond the current problems we may have," Syed Hamid Albar told reporters.

"Thailand and Malaysia, we've always acted, under all sorts of circumstances, in a way that does not marr our bilateral relations. Differences will always occur from time to time, we have our ups and downs, but we have never severed links or relations," he said.

Both countries have sparred over the 131 Thais, mostly from the southern Narathiwat province, who fled across the border into Malaysia in August saying they feared for their lives in the violence-wracked region.

Calls rejected

Thailand launched a formal protest with Malaysia after Syed Hamid said last week Malaysia wanted assurances the Thai Muslims' rights were protected before returning them to Thailand.

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on the weekend also reportedly rejected several recent calls by Malaysia for negotiations on the issue.

"It's up to him," Syed Hamid said, when asked about the rejection.

Since January 2004, southern Thailand has been rocked by more than 950 deaths. Authorities blame the violence on a complex web of Islamic separatists, organised crime and local corruption.