KUALA LUMPUR • Opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar may have committed an act of treason by meeting with an enemy of the state, senior Malaysian officials said.

Photos of Ms Nurul Izzah, who is a member of parliament and eldest daughter of jailed opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim, posing with self-styled Sulu princess Jacel Kiram have stirred controversy.

Ms Jacel is the daughter of the late self-styled Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who sent 200 troops to invade Sabah in February 2013 to stake his claim over the state. Scores of Malaysian security forces died fighting the incursion.

The two women met in the Philippines recently during Ms Nurul Izzah's visit, The Malaysian Insider (TMI) reported. Ms Jacel later posted photos on her Facebook page that showed both women holding posters demanding the release of Anwar.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said yesterday Ms Nurul Izzah's meeting with Ms Jacel is "tantamount to treason".

"She can be prosecuted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Penal Code for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency yesterday.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar told reporters yesterday police could investigate her under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, adding that police were expected to record her statement this week.

Ms Nurul Izzah issued an apology on Saturday for the "hurt" caused to the families of Malaysian troops who died in the Sabah incursion, according to TMI. She said Ms Jacel was one of 15 guests invited by her Philippine hosts, who included the Philippine Vice-President.