KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian intelligence sources detected that kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) groups as well as the Abu Sayyaf group were still trying to enter the country’s waters and carry out kidnapping and cross-border crimes, says Sabah’s top cop.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah said the threats from cross-border criminals necessitated the extension of the ongoing dusk-to-dawn sea curfew.
The curfew, he added, was required to ensure terrorists or criminals from southern Philippines do not intrude into Malaysian waters and subsequently ensure the safety of international researchers or foreign tourists visiting islands in Sabah.
The curfew which ends today has been extended for another 14 days to March 6, he said, in a statement yesterday.
The curfew, which was extended for the 205th time under Section 31(4) of the Police Act 1967, was first implemented on July 16, 2014.
Under the curfew, residents in areas covered by the rule are required to stay at home from 6pm to 6am while outsiders were not allowed to enter the curfew zones.
Comm Idris said the curfew covers areas up to three nautical miles off Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.
“The curfew will also allow security forces to look after the safety of Sabahans and others who travel at sea and those living on land in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
“Besides that, it will enable us to enforce the law and monitor the movement of vessels as well as create a sense of security and confidence among chalet operators and fishermen through the omnipresence of security vessels implementing this curfew,” Comm Idris added.
He said he had also given the authority to the respective district police chiefs to issue permits to any applicant who fulfil the necessary requirements to conduct fishing activities or to ply through the water routes in the curfew areas.The curfew was enforced following a spate of kidnappings that saw the beheading of Sarawakian Bernard Then Ted Fen and the killing of several others, including a policeman and tourists.
