"It is a huge embarrassment to our security machinery as it happened very deep inside Malaysia's territorial waters. The damage (in Malaysia-China ties) will be compounded further," he said.
Relations between Malaysia and China are fraught over the search for MH370, which went missing on March 8 with 239 people aboard, mostly Chinese. The aircraft has yet to be found, and Chinese families have accused Malaysia of mishandling the tragedy.
The eastern part of Sabah - whose pristine dive sites are a top tourist attraction - has seen several kidnappings despite increased security.
The Abu Sayyaf militant group in the southern Philippines have only a few hundred gunmen, but have been blamed for the worst terror attacks in the country's history, including bombings and kidnappings that have often targeted foreigners or Christians.
The group was set up in the 1990s, reportedly with seed money from Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden.
Last November, suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen kidnapped a Taiwanese couple holidaying in another Sabah resort.
The husband was killed during the abduction.
His wife was freed after being held for 36 days on the main Sulu island of Jolo. A ransom is believed to have been paid.
DE
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