KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s east coast dusk-to-dawn sea curfew, which has been in place for seven years, has been extended for another two weeks until July 4.
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said residents in the area will be required to stay at home from 6pm to 6am, while outsiders are not allowed to enter the curfew zones.
He said that the sea curfew areas was up to three nautical miles off the east coast districts of Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.
The curfew was first implemented on July 16, 2014.
Comm Jauteh said that the extension was needed due to threats from cross-border criminals including from Abu Sayyaf-linked kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) groups.
"The curfew is required in order to ensure terrorists or criminals from the southern Philippines do not slip into Sabah waters.
"This is also for the safety of international researchers or foreign tourists visiting islands in Sabah as well as local communities in the area," he said in a statement Sunday (June 18).
He said intelligence reports still indicated KFR groups as well as the Abu Sayyaf group were still attempting to enter the country’s waters and carry out kidnapping activities as well as other cross-border crimes.
"The curfew will also allow security forces to look after the safety of Sabahans and others who travel at sea and live on land in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone)," he said.
Comm Jauteh said that the curfew will also help in enforcement as well monitor movement of vessels.
"It helps create a sense of security and confidence among chalet operators and fishermen through the presence of security vessels implementing this curfew," he added.
Respective district police chiefs have been given the authority to issue permits to any applicant who fulfils the necessary requirements to conduct fishing activities or to ply through the water routes in the curfew areas.
