A Sulu terrorist was shot dead in Kampung Simunul, Semporna earlier in the morning.

The man was killed after he attacked security forces with a barong, a machette traditionally used by the Tausug, at about 8.40am.

The deceased was a bodyguard of an imam shot dead on March 2, where six policemen were mutilated and killed following an ambush by Sulu gunmen in the same area.

Six were arrested following the incident.

To date, 121 people are detained under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012 and 443 people under other offences.

The death toll for Sulu intruders now stands at 68 people.

In a separate matter, said that residents of Kampung Tanjung Batu will be allowed to return to their housing area by Saturday.

Meanwhile, Malaysia has reiterated that it would no longer be entertaining any claims over Sabah.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman told Astro Awani that Malaysia following reports that Filipino government agencies have been reminded not to refer to Sabah as a Malaysian state.