Rebel leader Nur Misuari who is wanted by the Philippinesgovernment for launching an armed revolt which has claimed more than 100 lives was arrested on Pulau Jampiras, off Sabah today.

A Bernama report quoted Inspector General of Police Norian Mai as saying that Misuari - the former Governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) - and six of his followers were nabbed at 3.30am for entering Malaysia illegally.

Norian reportedly said that police would try to hand Misuari and his men to the Philippine government as soon as possible, but declined to say where they were being held.

The arrest comes barely 24 hours after Philippines president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had asked Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to help crush the revolt.

The rebellion erupted last week when Arroyo expressed her support for a rival faction in Misuari's Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in next Monday's ARMM elections.

Internal matter

Meanwhile, Mahathir today said Malaysia is not prepared to grant political asylum to Misuari or his group.

"This is an internal matter of the Philippines and Malaysia should not interfere by providing refuge to rebels from other countries."

"Malaysia could not be the place for them to seek refuge as the government had already provided as much assistance as it could for the people in Southern Philippines to obtain autonomy for the region," Bernama quoted the premier as saying.

"Autonomy has been accorded but unfortunately when in power, they did not use their power for the development of the Southern Philippine region. Instead, we find its leaders like Misuari were seldom in the Southern Philippines. They were more often outside the country or in Manila," the premier added.

According to Bernama , the premier also said Malaysia had not seen any efforts being made by leaders in the Southern Philippines to fulfil their promises to the people there.

Malaysia had assisted Misuari in seeking a solution with the Philippine government but when he was appointed governor, it could be seen that not much had been done for the benefit of the people in Southern Philippines, said Mahathir.

"So therefore, we no longer feel responsible to provide him any assistance," he stressed.

An AFP report later today said Arroyo was "very satisfied that the Malaysian government has been efficient enough to arrest him."

According to the report, Arroyo's spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao told a local radio station that Manila would hold talks with Kuala Lumpur to discuss Misuari's deportation.

The neighbors lack an extradition treaty.