Megawati said Tuesday that the long-standing diplomatic ties with Malaysia should not be damaged by emotional reactions from either side and she called on an immediate resolution of the illegal migrants issue.

The daily Jakarta Post quoted Pramono Anung, deputy secretary-general of the Megawati-led Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), as saying that the core issue is about the deportation of Indonesian illegal workers from Malaysia and has nothing to do with political issues.

It was the president's hope that the labor issue should not damage friendly bilateral ties between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, Pramono added.

The president made the appeal shortly following Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar warned Tuesday that public angerin Indonesia over Kuala Lumpur's treatment of the illegal workers could harm bilateral relations.

One day earlier, dozens of Indonesians staged a demonstration in front of the Malaysian Embassy here, setting the Malaysian flagon fire and even breaking down the gate of the embassy. The Malaysian side denounced the unfriendly actions, saying this was not the way to conduct international relations.

The relations between the two countries have been strained soonafter over 300,000 Indonesian illegal workers were deported in thewake of the imposition of a new and stricter Immigration Act whichtook effect on Aug. 1 in Malaysia.

(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2002)