KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysian police are seeking custody of two men - including a key member of the notorious Muktadir brothers - alleged to have been involved with cross-border kidnappings in Sabah, who were arrested by Philippine authorities on Saturday (Nov 28).

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said they have received information that Kadafi Kamsa and another Abu Sayyaf rebel Saddam Jailani - believed to be involved in the recent kidnapping and beheading of Malaysian Bernard Then - were arrested separately.

"We have already notified Philippine authorities of our wish to bring them here to be investigated and we are in the process of sending a formal application," he said in a press conference at Bukit Aman on Monday (Nov 30).

Kadafi Kamsa, a member of the cross-border kidnap-for-ransom group, was arrested in a hospital in Jolo when he was taken there after an accident on Saturday (Nov 28), according to Philippine sources.

It is believed that Kadafi was using an alias, Amin Maing, when both the Philippine military and police arrested him. Kadafi remains under police watch at the hospital and is being held for dangerous driving and possession of firearms.

It is learned that two other accomplices of Kadafi managed to flee when the police and military officials turned up.