Malaysia dismisses Sabah attack warning: Report

Malaysian authorities have full control over security in the Borneo island state of Sabah, a government official was quoted on Saturday as saying after the United States embassy warned of attacks against foreigners.

"Since the last travel warning was issued in the area, security and intelligence there had been tightened tremendously, and there had been no reported attempts or acts of terror, including against foreigners," National Security Council secretary Mohamed Tajudeen Abdul Wahab was quoted as saying by New Straits Times.

The National Security Council is an agency within the prime minister's department.

In a "warden notice" posted on its website, dated Friday, the US embassy said resorts located in isolated areas of eastern Sabah, a state bordering the southern Philippines, were of "present concern".

It identified areas such as Semporna and the islands of Mabul and Sipadan, as well as travel to and from the area. Sabah's island resorts are popular tourist spots.

The warning said there were indications criminal and terrorist groups "are planning or intend acts of violence against foreigners", notwithstanding the Malaysian government's ability to detect and prevent such attacks.

The warden notice said the Philippines-based, al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militant group had kidnapped foreigners in eastern Sabah in the past.

Tajudeen said military and police intelligence had not shown imminent attacks against any part of the country.