Federal police Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Hazani Ghazali said police, especially the Special Branch, have been told to monitor the situation.
He said they would also work closely with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) to prevent the entry of the Abu Sayyaf sub-leader into Sabah.
"I would like to confirm that we were informed that Abu Sayyaf sub-leader and bombmaker Mudzrimar @ Mundi Sawadjaan, who is a suspect wanted by Esscom, is still alive.
"Therefore, Esscom as well as Special Branch police personnel are directed to check on this and to increase their operations.
"We will do whatever necessary to prevent his entry into Sabah," he said today.
Hazani said Esscom would also continue to share information with the Joint Task Force of Western Mindanao Command (J2 Westmincom) and Philippine National Police.
It was reported that the sub-leader who had been previously reportedly to have been shot dead last May in the Philippines was confirmed to be still alive.
Esscom commander Deputy Commissioner Hamzah Ahmad had said this was confirmed through the sharing of information by the Philippine security forces involving the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) and J2 Westmincom.
He added that Mudzrimar has been confirmed to be still alive following a series of clashes and encounters between Philippine security forces and the suspect since July 2021.
Hamzah said after that, Mudzrimar, who was removed from the list of individuals wanted by Esscom last year was now listed again following a kidnapping for ransom case in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone.
Mudzrimar is a nephew of Abu Sayyaf senior leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, besides having the expertise in making bombs as well as planning the bombings in a number of incidents in Jolo, the Philippines, in 2020, including at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral.