Eastern Sabah Security Zone curfew extended to Sept 2

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 17 — The curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), scheduled to end at 6 pm tomorrow, has been extended to Sept 2, according to Sabah police commissioner Datuk Zaini Jass.

He said the curfew was enforced in the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

The curfew had 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, he said in a statement today.

“Based on the information, 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 added.

The curfew order was also to 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.

Zaini 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 matters during the curfew.

—BERNAMA