The government has formed a special police force to counter security threats from Jemaah Islamiah (JI) and militant groups operating in the nearby southern Philippines, a senior official said today.

Ali Hanafiah, the brigade commander for Sabah, said the recent capture of suspected regional terror leader Hambali and militant Muslim groups operating in the neighbouring southern Philippines prompted the creation of the unit, codenamed the "Tiger Platoon".

"The Tiger platoon will bolster our capacity to fight JI and any other militants," he told AFP .