The United States embassy in Malaysia has issued a travel advisory warning that criminal and terrorist groups were planning attacks against foreigners in the Borneo island state of Sabah.
The notice posted on the embassy's website and dated today, said resorts located in isolated areas of eastern Sabah posed a concern.
It urged "extreme caution" in connection with any travel in isolated areas of eastern Sabah, including Semporna and the islands of Mabul and Sipadan.
A US embassy spokesperson when contacted confirmed the statement and said a full media statement would be issued shortly.
Sabah is located near the southern border of the Philippines. The Abu Sayyaf militant group, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group known for kidnapping and beheading hostages, operates there and has in the past attacked tourists in Sabah.
Reuters