The armed forces of Indonesia and Malaysia began a two-week-long joint exercise to be held in West Java and West Kalimantan provinces, Indonesian military chief Djoko Suyanto said.

The exercise, held every five years, is to involve close to 5,000 personnel.

"This joint exercise is specifically expected to result in a common approach to overcoming threats along the border between the two countries," Suyanto said according to the online Detikcom news agency.

He did not elaborate on the type of threats.

Opening of exercise

Suyanto was speaking at the official opening of the exercises, also attended by his Malaysian counterpart Muhammad Anwar bin Muhammad Nur, held at Indonesia's Strategic Command at Cilodong, just south of the capital Jakarta.

Indonesia will deploy 3,861 troops and 15 police for the event while Malaysia is sending 1,102 troops and 14 police, Suyanto said.

Indonesia and Malaysia share both a sea and land border. The land border runs along the island of Borneo, which is divided by Indonesia, the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, and Brunei.