(AFP) Malaysian Yusuf Hamdan said today he was awaiting his government's approval before joining negotiations to free hostages held by Abu Sayyaf rebels in the southern Philippines.

Yusuf, a businessman, said he spoke to rebel spokesman Abu Sabaya this morning by mobile phone and told him not to carry out his threat to behead three US captives.

"I told him it is an inhuman act. Please, as Muslims it is against our religion to do it," Yusuf told AFP .

The Abu Sayyaf postponed their threatened beheading after Philippine President Gloria Arroyo bowed to their demand to seek Malaysian mediators.

The rebels want Yusuf and Malaysian politician Sairin Karno to intercede.

Last year the two Malaysians, both from the eastern state of Sabah, helped mediate in the release of dozens of foreigners and locals including several Malaysians abducted by the rebels.

Awaits formal request

Yusuf said he had flown from Sabah to Kuala Lumpur to await his government's decision.

"My mission if I go will be to secure the release of the hostages safely."

Malaysian officials said they were awaiting a formal request from the Philippine government for Malaysian mediators to intercede.

Yusuf said he and Sairin were willing to join the negotiations because "I know these people (Abu Sayyaf) very well. They know us. We never betray them."

He said he was unclear about the Abu Sayyaf demands. "They did not mention anything about ransom. I do not know what they want."

Sairin is a former member of Malaysia's upper house of parliament and a local chief in Sabah of the ruling United Malays National Organisation.

He said last week he would only negotiate if given the green light by his government.