Malaysia said today it is considering a request from East Timor to station troops at the troubled country's porous border with Indonesia to stem the flow of civilians from trouble spots.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said Malaysia was discussing the proposal with other countries involved in the peacekeeping mission in Timor - Australia, New Zealand and Portugal.

"We will discuss the matter among these countries and at present we have secured important and strategic locations," Najib said according to the official Bernama news agency.

Malaysia has sent 209 troops to Timor to help restore order after ethnic unrest was triggered by a military rebellion.

Bernama said the Malaysian troops are currently securing several strategic locations including power generating stations, oil depots and hospitals.

Najib said the government had no plans to increase the Malaysian force in Timor as the current number was adequate.

"So far we have not. We will continue with the same number of personnel which are currently there," he said.