Malaysia has sent an official protest note to Indonesia on the trespassing of the republic's navy ship into Malaysian territorial waters, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar has said.

The warships encroached nearly 8 nautical miles into Malaysian territory through Batuan Unarang waters near Pulau Sebatik in the Sulawesi Sea, the minister told reporters after opening of the ruling party's branch meeting in Kota Tinggi, southern Malaysia, on Sunday.

"I was informed about the incident yesterday. We have sent a protest note to Indonesia. (Jakarta's action) does not augur well," he said.

He said Kuala Lumpur did not want to resolve its misunderstanding with Jakarta through military, and noted that an amicable solution could be found through the negotiating table and diplomatic channel.

"Malaysia feels all its actions are within its territorial waters and territory but maybe Indonesia has a different stand. Nevertheless, we (Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta) can sit down and have discussions," he said.

On Feb. 16, the Indonesian government protested against the move of Petronas, Malaysian national oil company, to award two concession blocks to Shell, an international oil company, and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, for hydrocarbon exploration.

Jakarta claims that the Ambalat Block and East Ambalat Block, also called as the blocks "ND6" and "ND7" in the Sulawesi Sea, are in its waters while Malaysia holds that the blocks are in Malaysian territory.

It is reported the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent three notes to Indonesia protesting the republic's activities at the blocks "ND6" and "ND7" in the Sulawesi Sea, saying they are under Malaysian jurisdiction.

Jakarta, in its effort to defend its right in the republic's territorial waters, reportedly sent three warships to the area.

Syed Hamid said the Royal Malaysian Navy which stationed two warships in the disputed waters, was instructed by the government to only monitor the situation and patrol within Malaysian waters.

"We do not want to create any untoward possibilities. The directive to our naval ships is to protect Malaysia's territory and not engage in a confrontation."

Meanwhile, Syed Hamid said Malaysia and Indonesia not only enjoyed close bilateral ties but also cooperated in many issues like tackling the illegal immigrants' problem.

He said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's good working relationship with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would help resolve whatever problems arising between the two countries.

Source: Xinhua