Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak today described the US State Department's travel advisory to its citizens against going to the east coast of Sabah as "uncalled for".

He told Bernama that the situation in Sabah waters was under control and safe for foreign tourists.

"Since we deployed army and police reinforcements to the area, favourite tourist spots such as the Pulau Sipadan and several other areas are safe," he said.

In a public announcement yesterday, the US State Department reiterated its "ongoing concern about the safety of American citizens and interests, especially along the east coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah."

It said its concern was motivated by "the presence of terrorist organisations in Southeast Asia."

The warning came a month after six Indonesian and Filipino workers were kidnapped from a resort on the coast of eastern Sabah.

Operating illegally

Najib said the kidnapping at the Borneo Paradise Eco-Resort in Kunak occurred because the resort was operating illegally and the authorities were not notified so that security protection could be extended to the resort.

"Other resorts that came under the "Ops Pasir" security operations launched since two years ago are operating smoothly and safe for tourists," he said.

"In reality, Malaysia is a country that takes serious measures to wipe out any form of militant, terrorism and extremism activities," the minister added.