Kuala Lumpur: Seeking to ease the diplomatic spat with New Delhi over the detention and ill treatment of over 200 Indian Information Technology (IT) professionals, Malaysia has conveyed "deep regret", sent police apologies and assured that the officers who violated procedures will be punished.

"We are not so proud as to not apologise if there is a mistake committed by our enforcement officers," Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmed Badawi told reporters.

"I have already informed (Home) Ministry to take whatever action is necessary, and regarding the complaint to say that we are sorry for what has happened," Abdullah, who succeeds Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad in October and is Acting Prime Minister when Mahathir travels overseas, said in Port Klang.

"What is important is we want the bilateral relations between Malaysia and India to be good all the time and to improve," Abdullah said.

The Home Ministry in a statement said it "expresses deep regret over the inconvenience experienced by those detained. The police failed to inform the Indian High Commission of the action to be taken against the Indian workers."

The statement followed a debate on the issue in a Cabinet meeting on March 19. "When three officials of the High Commission arrived at the scene, they were not attended to immediately as investigation was underway. The police apologise over this matter," it said.

"There are a lot of things we can do… Incidents like this must be resolve amicably," said Abdullah, who is also Home Minister.

PTI