Malaysia has criticised Australia for issuing a travel warning about possible kidnappings on Sabah, saying the move would hamper investigations against the alleged terrorists posing the threat.

Australia this week advised its citizens to avoid travel to Sabah in light of "credible" reports that terrorists were planning to abduct foreigners there.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Australian authorities should have shared their information with Malaysian security agencies rather than releasing the warning publicly.

"There is a channel of communication between Malaysia and Australia," he told the official Bernama news agency late Thursday. "We cannot be conducting investigation based on allegations that come out from the media.

"This thing should be done very quietly between the law enforcement agencies. If you announce it through the media and the allegation is made, it makes investigation difficult."

Syed Hamid said Malaysia viewed any information on possible terrorist attacks seriously and said that the Australian authorities had failed to consult with Malaysia over the latest warning.

Deputy Defense Minister Zainal Abidin Zin also played down the warning Thursday, saying the Sabah coast was safe for tourists to visit.

Credible reports of attack

The warning advised Australians to avoid all travel to coastal resorts, islands and dive sites off the east coast of Sabah.

"We have received credible reports that terrorists are planning kidnapping attacks targeting resorts frequented by foreigners," it said.

The alert also urged Australians to exercise a high degree of caution throughout Malaysia as "the risk of terrorist attack against Western interests in Malaysia remains".

Sabah's Sipadan island came under the international news spotlight in 2000 when 21 people including 12 foreigners were abducted by Philippines-based Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels.

The Abu Sayyaf, which is believed to have ties to the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah terrorist group responsible for deadly bombings in Indonesia, released the captives after large ransoms were reportedly paid.

However, tourist authorities in Sabah have shrugged off the warnings issued by the United States and other Western nations, saying foreigners continue to visit the states and its islands, drawn by the pristine dive sites there.

"The number of visitors continue to rise despite the numerous travel advisories issued," Sabah assistant tourism minister Karim Bujang told the New Straits Times.