Self-proclaimed Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram has refused Kuala Lumpur's demand to surrender unconditionally and instead proposed an exchange of hostages.

He has been claiming that four Malaysian police officers have been captured by his followers currently engaged in a gunfight with Malaysian security forces in Sabah, but the Malaysian police have denied it.

NONE According to Philippine Daily Inquirer , Jamalul, after learning that Kuala Lumpur had rejected his ceasefire offer yesterday, suggested calling his offer "cessation of hostilities", which conveyed the same request - a halt to the Malaysian security forces operation against the armed group in Sabah.

He added that the sultanate was "willing to swap prisoners of war" if Malaysia would agree to a cessation of hostilities.

The sultanate had earlier claimed that its armed group in Sabah, led by Jamalul's brother Azzimuddie Kiram, captured four Malaysian police officers during an attack on a police station at Simunul village in Semporna on Saturday night.

The Malaysian forces are holding 10 men from Azzimuddie's group, taken during the fighting in Kampung Tanduo last Friday.

NONE However, the Malaysian authorities have dismissed the claim of Malaysian police officers of being captured by the militants.

The sultanate's spokesperson, Abraham Idjirani (right) , suggested that the terms for the exchange of prisoners be agreed upon by the United Nations, Malaysia and the sultanate of Sulu with the "intercession" of the Philippine government.

Idjirani also turned down Kuala Lumpur's demand for the unconditional surrender of his followers.

"Comprehensive peace is not established with a surrender," the Philippine daily quoted him as saying.

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