The safe return of the victims of the kidnapping incident in Ligitan Island waters off Semporna, Sabah yesterday is the top priority, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.

Anifah said Malaysia will be contacting the Philippine government on the incident after getting the full details from the Malaysian authorities.

"After that, we will look into how Malaysia and the Philippines can cooperate to ensure the victims of the kidnapping can be brought home safely," he said.

Anifah was speaking to reporters at the Post-Sabah Earthquake 'Thank You' Reception hosted by Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan here tonight.

He was commenting on the incident where four Malaysians were kidnapped in Ligitan waters yesterday.

Anifah said Malaysia viewed seriously kidnapping cases and transborder crimes which were often happening in Sabah waters.

"When it involves lives, we (Malaysia) take it seriously and I know the federal government is very concerned on Sabah's security. However, Sabah's waters are huge, quite difficult to prevent one or two boats from trespassing.

"As such, we ask that the federal government look into this to find the best ways to stop such kidnappings," said Anifah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kimanis in Sabah.

The four victims, from Sibu, Sarawak, who were working on a ship registered under the name, 'Masfive 6', were kidnapped by eight armed men while returning to Malaysia from the Philippines at 6.15pm yesterday.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police had not received information on any demand from the armed group.

He said police were also trying to determine if it was a cross-border crime or otherwise, and whether it was linked to the Abu Sayyaf group.

The four, aged 21 to 34, were among nine crew members on the tugboat. The five others made up of Myanmar nationals and Indonesians were freed by the kidnappers.

In related matter, Anifah welcomed the suggestion by Khalid to suspend all commercial activities and supply of essential goods to the southern Philippines from Sabah in the interest of security.

He said it should be looked into to determine if this could be the best step to put an end to such kinappings.

"... but yes, at least stopping the trade between Sabah and southern Philippines means can reduce kidnapping activities. I'm for it, trade is important but lives are more important," he added.

The reception was held in appreciation of the assistance rendered by the Malaysian authorities and mountain guides to Singaporean climbers on Mt Kinabalu in the aftermath of the devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Ranau, Sabah on June 5 last year.

Eighteen people died on the mountain, the highest in Southeast Asia. Nine of those killed were Singaporeans. About 130 people were stranded but were later rescued.

Four Malaysian mountain guides - Robbi Sapinggi, Valerian Joannes, Ricky Masirin and Joseph Solungin - died while protecting climbers.