Malaysian authorities have full control over security in Sabah, said a government official 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 yesterday, 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.

Danger zones

Mohamad Shafie Apdal, MP for Semporna, dismissed the threat of attacks by Islamic militants and said the government had established a military base in his constituency to ensure security for tourists.

mabul island sabah "At least one or two platoons patrol our tourist-centred islands in Sabah," he was quoted as saying by NST .

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.

- Agencies