Malaysian forces surround armed intruders reportedly from Phl

KUALA LUMPUR (Xinhua) - Malaysian security forces in Borneo's Sabah state surrounded a group of armed intruders believed to have come from the southern Philippines, police said today.

Federal police chief Ismail Omar said Malaysian police and armed forces have ordered the armed men to lay down their arms and surrender.

"The situation is under control and the people have nothing to worry about," Ismail said in a statement.

He did not reveal how many intruders were surrounded but state news agency Bernama quoted police sources as saying they numbered more than 100.

The group, clad in camouflage uniforms, were suspected to be members of a militant group that landed by pump boats on Sabah's eastern Lahad Datu district, about 600 kilometers from conflict- ridden southern Philippines.

Their intrusion, Ismail said, were due to "troubles in the southern Philippines".

Police had yet to confirm whether the group was planning an attack as they interrogate the suspects.

The mass influx of Filipinos in Sabah has posed a security challenge to the state, where gunmen from the southern Philippines had in the past abducted foreigners and conducted armed robberies.