(AFP) - Malaysia will deport detained Philippines Muslim leader Nur Misuari and not charge him with illegal entry, Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in remarks published today.

Abdullah, who is also home minister in charge of police, was quoted as saying by the Sunday Star that Malaysia had to hand Misuari over to Manila as the two countries were part of Asean.

"If he is kept in Malaysia, we will be accused of harbouring him or even meddling in the internal affairs of the Philippines," he said.

"The Philippine government wants him. We will send him back."

Misuari and six of his followers were arrested before dawn yesterday on Jampiras island off Sabah for entering Malaysia illegally via Jolo island in the southern Philippines.

Jampiras is the island closest to the Philippine-Malaysia international boundary and about 30 minutes by boat from the Sabah town of Sandakan.

Details however were sketchy as to when he would be deported to the Philippines, where he led a rebellion last week.

Under custody

A spokesman at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters told AFP that the group was being held in Sabah, north of Borneo island, but declined to give details.

"They are still under custody. There is no new development at the moment," the spokesman said.

Malaysia's police chief Norian Mai said yesterday plans were being made to deport Misuari to avert any threats to national security.

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo said today she wished to see Misuari remain in jail in Malaysia pending a trial rather than be returned to the Philippines.

Some 600 armed followers of Misuari attacked military outposts in Jolo last week in an apparent bid to disrupt elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao set for tomorrow.

Misuari has been governor of the region since 1996, when his Moro National Liberation Front signed a peace deal with Manila.

But his rule has been marred by allegations of corruption, and Arroyo has declared her support to a candidate within a rival faction.