WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States yesterday raised new concern for the security of Americans in Malaysia's eastern Sabah state, two months after the Malaysian government bristled at a previous warning on the threat from Muslim rebels.

The State Department reiterated its concern over attacks in Sabah by the Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebel group which is based in the southern Philippines.

Kidnappers from the group grabbed foreign and Malaysian hostages last year in raids on Sipadan and Pandanan islands.

"US citizens traveling to the islands and in the coastal areas of eastern Sabah should be aware of the persistence of threats from the Abu Sayyaf Group, and should exercise extreme caution if they travel to that region," the department said in a public announcement.

While Malaysia had troops and police on the islands, the region was remote and security assistance may not be readily available, the advisory said.

No evidence

The Abu Sayyaf is currently holding 29 foreign hostages abducted in the Philippines and claims it beheaded Californian Guillermo Sobero, one of three Americans being held.

There has been no evidence to prove the claim.

Malaysia's Tourism Minister objected to a previous warning on security in Sabah issued in April.

Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fazdir was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency that "Sabah is a safe destination for tourists," and invited the US ambassador to visit the area.