‘Curfew in Esszone vital for high security’

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah police say there is a need to continue with the curfew in the waters off the east coast to prevent the encroachment of terrorists and criminals who can threaten the safety of the local population, international researchers and tourists.

“We have intelligence reports indicating that kidnap-for-ransom groups and Abu Sayyaf militants are still trying to commit cross-border crime.

“We also want to ensure the safety of the people of Sabah who use the waters and are staying near Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone),” said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah.

He said the curfew would allow better enforcement and monitoring of the movements of boats and vessels in the area.

The presence of a security team would also help establish a sense of security among nearby chalet ow­ners and fishermen.

“All district police chiefs have been authorised to issue permits to any eligible applicants who fit the criteria to conduct fishing activities in the areas affected by the curfew,” he said.

Sabah’s east coast curfew was first implemented in July 19, 2014, following a series of kidnappings that year.

It has remained in place with security forces stating that it was needed to ensure high security was in place in the area that borders the southern Philippine islands of Tawi-Tawi.

Two separate cross-border kidnappings involving fishermen occur­red last Sept 11 and Dec 5 within Sabah’s east coast border waters.