WASHINGTON - American officials believe the Philippines and Malaysia are likely to soon be hit by terrorist attacks.
New intelligence yesterday led the US State Department to reissue a warning to Americans in Malaysia to be aware of threats posed by extremist groups in the region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade says New Zealanders should be aware of heightened risks of terror attacks in Southeast Asia.
Malaysia dismissed the report as "scaremongering".
The US alert follows the suicide attacks on Western targets in Saudi Arabia, which killed 34 people.
In Pakistan yesterday bombs exploded at 11 Shell petrol stations. No casualties were reported.
The ministry says there is a high risk of kidnapping off Sabah in East Malaysia by Philippines terrorist groups and has warned against travelling in the southern Philippines.
About 500 New Zealanders live in the Philippines, 50 of them in the south of the country. Most work as missionaries.
New Zealand's ambassador to the Philippines, Terry Baker, said the embassy had a register of New Zealanders there and kept them informed of new threats.
He said the embassy had not contacted New Zealanders over the American warning as "the situation has not changed dramatically".
The American announcement said there was continuing concern about the possibility of terrorist attacks against US citizens and American interests in Malaysia, especially in the state of Sabah, which is close to the southern Philippines.
The US embassy in Malaysia says up to 12,000 Americans are in the country.
Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, accused Washington of scaremongering and said the warning created "uncalled-for" fear and uncertainty.
- STAFF REPORTER, AGENCIES
