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KUALA LUMPUR - The United States embassy in Malaysia issued a warning on Friday that criminal and terrorist groups are planning attacks against foreigners in the state of Sabah on Borneo island.
The embassy said there was "present concern" over resorts in isolated areas in eastern Sabah including the diving island of Sipadan, where foreign hostages were snatched in 2000.
"There are indications that both criminal and terrorist groups are planning or intend acts of violence against foreigners in eastern Sabah," the embassy said in a warden notice on its website.
"The Abu Sayyaf group, based in the southern Philippines, has kidnapped foreigners in eastern Sabah in the past."
The advisory identified the destinations of Semporna, Mabul and Sipadan and called on citizens to "please avoid or use extreme caution in connection with any travel in these areas or locations."
The US travel advisory on Malaysia already warns of the threat of criminal and terrorist attacks in Sabah, but Friday's information was more specific on the areas targeted.
In 2000, the Abu Sayyaf militant group took 21 people hostage including 10 foreigners in Sipadan and took them to their base on Jolo island, holding most of them for several months.
A US embassy spokeswoman could not immediately give further details.
Deputy national police chief Ismail Omar said he was aware of the advisory.
"I have alerted the Sabah police chief to put our policemen all over Sabah and to be on highest surveillance. We will monitor the situation and upgrade the security," he told AFP.
Ismail could not confirm whether a terrorist attack was imminent but said "given the advisory, we would rather not take chances and put extra manpower on duty."
- AFP/ir
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