KOTA KINABALU: The dusk-to-dawn sea curfew in Sabah's east coast has been extended for another two weeks to boost continuing efforts to curb cross-border criminal activities.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman (pic) said that the 7pm to 5pm curfew has been extended from Feb 27 to March 14 under Section 31(4) of the Police Act 1967.
He said the decision to continue the extension of the curfew that was imposed in July last year was to ensure the continued safety of tourist, fishermen and the people in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
"The curfew also helps security forces to monitor any groups trying to enter the east coast waters illegally to carry out cross-border crimes, human and weapons smuggling activities,’’ he said in a statement on Thursday.
Jalaluddin said that the sea curfew in the east coast districts had the support of resort operators and the fishing industry, as it proved effective in maintaining security in the area that was hit by at least three cross-border kidnappings last year.
He said fishermen could obtain their permits from respective district police chiefs to carry out their activities during the curfew.
The curfew came into effect following an attack at the Mabul Water Bungalows in Semporna on July 12 last year where a policeman was killed and Kons Zakiah Aleip was kidnapped by a cross-border kidnap group. Zakiah remains in captivity in the southern Philippines island of Jolo.
The curfew covers Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak and Tawau.
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