Caution! ... Possible Terrorist Threat In Malaysian State On Borneo Island ...

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US warns of possible terrorist threat in Malaysian state on Borneo island near Philippines

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP) – 1 hour ago

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The U.S. warned its citizens Friday that criminals and terrorists could be plotting attacks on foreigners in an eastern Malaysian state on Borneo island.

"There are indications that both criminal and terrorist groups are planning or intend acts of violence against foreigners in eastern Sabah, notwithstanding the government of Malaysia's increased ability to detect, deter and prevent such attacks," according to a travel advisory posted on the Web site of the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

The advisory noted that al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants based in the southern Philippines, which is a short boat ride from Sabah, have kidnapped foreigners from Sabah's secluded resort areas in the past.

It urged Americans to "avoid or use extreme caution" in connection to travel plans to those areas.

Police officials contacted in Sabah said they were not immediately aware of the advisory and declined to comment.

 

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<strong style="background-color: rgb(196, 255, 196);">U.S. warns of possible attack in Malaysia's Sabah</strong>
Razak Ahmad and Royce Cheah
KUALA LUMPUR
Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:32am EST

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Police stepped up security after the United States Embassy in Malaysia warned on Friday that criminal and terrorist groups were planning attacks against foreigners in the Borneo island state of Sabah.

A "warden notice" posted on the embassy's website (malaysia.usembassy.gov/), dated Friday, said resorts located in isolated areas of eastern Sabah, a state bordering the southern Philippines, were of "present concern."

It identified areas of eastern Sabah including Semporna and the islands of Mabul and Sipadan, as well as travel to and from the area.

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

"Please avoid or use extreme caution in connection with any travel in these areas or locations," it said.

The state's island resorts are popular with tourists.

The warden notice said the Philippines-based, al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militant group had kidnapped foreigners in eastern Sabah in the past. Criminal elements were also responsible for kidnapping and piracy, it said.

Malaysia's deputy police chief, Ismail Omar, said his officers were taking all necessary steps.

"I have alerted all my officers in Sabah to boost security at all these places," he told Reuters.

A U.S. embassy spokesman in Kuala Lumpur said such statements were issued periodically and the latest warning was posted "to enable people to make informed decisions about their security."

The spokesman said there was a possibility the warning would be upgraded into an official travel advisory that would be issued by the U.S. State Department.

The Abu Sayyaf, known for kidnapping and beheading hostages, was nearly eliminated after the death of its founder and leader, Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani, in the late 1990s.

It sprang back to life when about 20 Malaysian and Western tourists were kidnapped on Sipadan island in 2000. Analysts have said that proceeds from kidnappings may revive the small but deadly group.