We are certainly not a country that provides refuge to terrorists

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar

Ministers said terrorist activities in Malaysia were "under control", and demanded that the US provide proof if it wanted suspects to be handed over.

The comments came in response to a report in a Beirut -based Arabic weekly, Almoharrer, that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had asked nine countries to hand over terrorist suspects in the wake of the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said if there was evidence of someone committing an act of terrorism, that person would be brought to trial.

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He said the authorities would co-operate with the US Government and exchange information if there was an official request for help. So far, he said, there had been no official request.

Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak called on the US to state clearly the assistance it needed and furnish proof if it wanted Malaysia to hand over suspects.

The Almoharrer newspaper named nine countries on the FBI's list: Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Correspondents say the Almoharrer is a pro-Syrian newspaper.