The US yesterday backed a warning from Australia advising against traveling to Malaysia's Borneo coast, saying that it was also concerned that terrorists planned to kidnap foreigners there.
The Malaysian government criticized Wednesday's Australian travel warning for the east coast of Sabah state, saying that the tourist destinations there were safe and that Canberra had failed to consult Malaysia over the announcement.
But the US embassy here noted that several kidnappings and piracy incidents had already occurred in the area this year, perpetrated by criminals and the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf group.
`Continued planning'
"There are indications of continued planning of kidnappings, including of foreigners, in eastern Sabah's coastal areas and offshore islands," it said in a statement, which reiterated an ongoing US State Department warning.
"Emergency assistance in the area may not always be available. For this reason, American citizens should defer all non-essential travel," it added.
Australia said in its travel warning dated June 22 that its citizens should avoid all travel to coastal resorts, islands and dive sites off the east coast of Sabah on Borneo island.
"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."
`No consultation'
In response, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia viewed any information on possible terrorist attacks seriously but that the Australian authorities failed to consult with Malaysia over the latest warning.
Malaysian Deputy Defense Minister Zainal Abidin Zin also played down the advisory, saying the Borneo coast was safe for tourists to visit.
Sabah's Sipadan island came under the international spotlight in 2000 when 21 people including 12 foreigners were abducted by Abu Sayyaf rebels.
The Abu Sayyaf, which is believed to have ties to the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist group responsible for deadly bombings in Indonesia, released the captives after large ransoms were reportedly paid.
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