(AFP) Defence Minister Najib Razak today voiced regret that the Hollywood movie "Black Hawk Down" ignored the sacrifices of Malaysian troops who rescued American soldiers during a battle in Somalia in 1993.

Najib said the movie based on a book failed to reflect the actual incident.

"We are disappointed with the contents of the movie. It is obvious the book ignored what actually happened. The US rangers were trapped and they were rescued by Malaysian troops," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

Najib said often movies produced by Hollywood are not based on facts but are modified to suit certain groups.

"We should not accept Hollyood (movies) completely," he said.

Eighteen US soldiers died in the battle and 70 were wounded. One Malaysian was killed and nine were wounded.

Set record straight

Najib's remarks came a day after a top military official criticised the movie for ignoring the role of Malaysian soldiers in the deadly battle.

"We were there in the thick of the battle," complained retired Brigadier-General Abdul Latif Ahmad, who commanded Malaysian forces serving with the United Nations in Somalia at that time.

"It is only right to set the record straight or Malaysian movie-goers will be under the wrong impression that the real battle was fought by the Americans alone while we were mere bus drivers to ferry them out."

The former commander said that, contrary to the impression given by the film, American lives were saved by a rescue force of 113 Malaysian troops deployed in 32 Condor armoured personnel carriers after two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in Mogadishu.

Military ties between Malaysia and US are close and forces of the two countries often hold joint exercises.