The meteorology department has issued its highest alert for strong winds and rough seas off Sabah and Sarawak as destructive typhoon Durian made its way through the region.

"The conditions of strong winds and rough seas are dangerous to all shipping and coastal activities, including fishing and ferry services," the department said in a statement posted on its website.

The department said the typhoon in the South China Sea was tracking westwards and was located 909 northwest of Sabah's capital Kota Kinabalu, and 1,404 kilometres northeast of Sarawak's capital, Kuching.

"The typhoon is moving westward towards Vietnam. The wind is strong and also the sea will be rough. Even though (Durian) is very far away, the swell will be causing the sea to be very rough," a meteorology official told AFP .

Sabah and Sarawak are located on Borneo island, which neighbours the southern Philippines.

The department said it had upgraded its warning on Saturday night of second category winds and rough seas for Sabah and Sarawak to the most serious third category on Sunday.

"If the wind reaches 50 to 60 kilometers (per hour), we consider it the third category," said the official.

"It is the most serious ... It's dangerous to all marine activities," he said, adding the department had alerted maritime officials several days ago over typhoon Durian.

Scores dead

The department said winds of between 50 and 60 kilometres per hour and swells of up to 5.5 metres were expected off Sabah and Sarawak.

Conditions were at second category for peninsular Malaysia's east coast, with winds of 40 to 50 kilometres and rough seas with swells of up to 4.5 metres expected, it said.

The department said the conditions would persist until Dec 6.

Typhoon Durian has torn through the eastern Philippines since Thursday, triggering massive mudslides with fears that up to 1,000 people have been killed.