Indonesia and Malaysia today agreed to increase cooperation on border security and set up a joint police committee to tackle cross-border crime.

Timber smuggling, illegal immigration, criminal gangs and encroaching fishermen are among the main problems along their long and porous sea and land borders.

Indonesian Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono said the two sides had agreed "to form a Joint Police Cooperation Committee where police will (lead) law enforcement for transnational crimes".

"The armed forces will also support police from both countries," he told reporters.

Sudarsono said there were dozens of criminal cases related to the land and sea borders.

"This is why both countries need to increase security force and equipments. We agree to increase transport facilities so we can (react) fast," he said.

Pirate attacks

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who also holds the defense portfolio, hailed the agreement as "a natural development because of transnational problems. We will bring the police forward more intensively and formalise it."

During their meeting to discuss defense and security cooperation, Sudarsono said they also agreed to increase maritime cooperation in the busy Malacca Straits, which is prone to pirate attacks.

While Washington has offered to help with security in the vital shipping lane, Najib said "the US understands that security of the Malacca Straits falls on the hands of coastal countries, that is, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

"They respect that and give the sovereignty of the Malacca Straits to the three countries. The US is willing to help but it should be in line with the principles of the three countries," he said.

Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have taken responsibility for security in the strait, launching aggressive joint sea and air patrols to thwart piracy.