Armed militants shot dead for trying to enter East Malaysia

More than 30 armed militants were killed by Philippine security forces as they tried to enter Malaysia's Sabah state on North Borneo, Malaysian media reported Thursday, which was denied by the Philippine side.

Local Star newspaper quoted Malaysian Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying on Thursday that Philippines security forces shot dead 35 Sulu militants before they entered Malaysian waters as they refused to turn back.

Based on intelligence reports, the group was trying to sneak into Sabah to spoil Malaysia's upcoming general election on May 5, Zahid Hamidi said.

However, a Philippine Navy spokesman denied the account, saying that Tawi-Tawi naval task force commander is not aware of such an incident, according to a Philippine news portal philstar.

Philippine and Malaysian security forces boost maritime boarder control after some 200 armed militants landed in Sabah in February to stake a territorial claims on behalf of a self-claimed Sulu Sultan based in Southern Philippines.

At least ten security forces and dozens of gunmen were killed during the deadly stand-off and the following mop-up operation by Malaysian authorities.

A spokesman of the Sulu Sultan also denied the killing of 35 militants, adding that some 1,000 fighters had been deployed to reinforce the remaining gunmen in Sabah but would not disrupt the election.

Malaysian state news agency Bernama later retreated its story on Zahid Hamidi's account.

Malaysian government has set up special security zones in the area in the aftermath of the stand-off, and the election commission said the polling will not be affected.

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