SABAH POLICE ON HEIGHTENED ALERT FOR POSSIBLE INTRUSION BY MUSLIM REBELS

KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Sept 5 (Bernama) -- The Sabah police are on heightened alert across the state, especially in the east coast, in facing a possible intrusion by armed members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MLIF).

This follows a deadlock in peace talks between the Philippines Government
and the MILF.

Sabah Commissioner of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said the police were
aware of the crisis in southern Philippines and would take the necessary steps
to prevent any intrusion into Malaysia's territorial waters.

"However, there were no reports of sighting and intrusion by this group
into our waters, so far," he told Bernama here Friday.

Noor Rashid was asked to comment on an AFP report in Manila Friday that
some
unnamed armed groups attempted to enter Sabah.

According to the report, violence could escalate and spill over into
neighbouring countries after recent peace talks between the Philippines
Government and Muslim rebels ended in tatters.