Jakarta – The Indonesian Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) will conduct a joint exercise with its Australian counterpart SAS next month, Kopassus Commander, Maj. Gen. Lodewijk Friedrich Paulus said.

"The exercise will be carried out in Bali in September after Idul Fitri [the Islamic post-fasting holiday], " he told Antara on Thursday.

He said Kopassus' relations with SAS were improving as indicated by the holding of routine joint exercises to improve the two forces' capability and professionalism.

"We have conducted joint exercises routinely in different places, sometimes in Indonesia, other times in Australia. This year it will be held in Bali," he said.

Regarding the upcoming exercise, he said they would focus on anti-terrorism operating capabilities.

Cooperation between Kopassus and SAS was halted in 1999 following a souring in Indonesia-Australia relations over riots in East Timor (now Timor Leste) in the wake of the pro-independence outcome of a UN-sponsored referendum.

The resumption of normal relations between the two forces began after the SAS commander's visit to Indonesia followed by a visit by Australian Army Chief of Staff Lt Gen Peter Leahy in late 2002.

Indonesia-Australia relations improved following the Bali bombings in October 2002 that killed scores of Australian visitors to the island. Kopassus has also routinely carried out exercises with Singapore and Thailand.

Meanwhile Kopassus is re-formulating its joint exercise program with the US, after being halted 11 years ago following accusations of human rights abuses against the Indonesian army in East Timor.