Sabah kidnap could be deliberate act to sour Sino-Malaysia ties: Malaysian PM

The Semporna resort kidnap in Sabah State could be a deliberate act to sour Sino-Malaysian ties, local press The Star quoted Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak as saying on Thursday.

The PM made that statement after a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott in Perth, Australia.

Two persons, one Chinese tourist and a Filipino resort worker had been abducted by a group of man from Pulau Singahmata near Pulau Bum-Bum in Semporna, state of Sabah of Malaysia on Wednesday evening.

Najib said the fact that one of those kidnapped was a Chinese national could further strain the already tense situation, following the MH370 tragedy, The Star said.

"This must be avoided. There may be those who are attempting to drive a wedge between us and China. They may be trying to take advantage of the situation," the prime minister was quoted as saying.

Najib said he believed the Sino-Malaysia ties would remain strong despite of the recent incident.

He also said the government had contacted and sought the cooperation of Filipino authorities.

The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said in a statement that "the Embassy's Police Attache immediately alerted Philippine police authorities in nearby areas for possible interdiction, in the event the perpetrators and their victims were headed their way. "

"I'm not dismissing any possibilities but the priority now is to obtain the release of the victims," Najib added.