KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s ongoing dusk-to-dawn sea curfew on the east coast has been extended for another two weeks until Feb 4.
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah said the extension of the 6pm to 6am sea curfew was needed due to continuous threats from cross-border criminals, including from kidnap-for-ransom groups.
The curfew covers areas up to three nautical miles off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.
"There is a need to continue the curfew in these waters to prevent the encroachment of terrorists and criminals who can threaten the safety of locals, international researchers and tourists on islands," he said in a statement Thursday (Jan 19).
Comm Idris said the curfew allows authorities to ensure the safety of the people of Sabah who use the waters and were staying near the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
“The curfew is to facilitate enforcement and monitoring of boat activities in the area as well as establish a sense of security with nearby chalet owners and fishermen through the presence of a security team.”
He said all district police chiefs in the respective areas have been authorised to issue permits to any eligible applicants who fit the criteria to conduct fishery activities in the areas affected by the curfew.
The curfew was first implemented on July 19, 2014.
