TAWAU, Oct 1 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), scheduled to end tomorrow, has been extended to Oct 17.
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said the curfew was enforced in the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.
“Those living in the area are prohibited from approaching or being in the waters off the seven districts between 6 pm and 6 am.
“The curfew has been extended to ensure the waters would not be encroached by terrorists, which could threaten the security of international researchers conducting research, as well as tourists on the resort islands.
“Based on the information we gathered, militant groups involved in kidnapping for ransom from the southern Philippines, including Abu Sayyaf, are still trying to infiltrate these waters to carry out kidnapping and cross-border crime,” he said in a statement today.
The ESSCom security area, which covers 1,400 km of the east coast of Sabah from Kudat to Tawau came into effect in March 2013 to strengthen maritime security in the eastern part of the state following attacks from militants and pirates.
Meanwhile, Hazani said the curfew extension was to also ease enforcement and monitoring on the movements of boats and for chalet operators and local fishermen to feel secure with the presence of security force vessels plying these waters.
He said that all district police chiefs in the affected areas have also been given authority to issue permits to those applying for fishing activities and to attend urgent matter during the curfew.
–NNN-BERNAMA