Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman Thursday advised the people against listening to rumours of an impending attack by Sulu gunmen to the state.

"The people should not listen to such talk and panic," he said in a statement issued in Kota Kinabalu.

Musa said the heightened security, especially in the east coast of Sabah, was part of strategic measures taken by the security forces to ward off any potential threat.

"They have to be vigilant at all times," he said.

He cautioned irresponsible quarters against spreading such rumours with the intent of creating fear and panic among the people.