KOTA KINABALU: The dusk-to-dawn sea curfew has been extended for 14 days to June 19 amid continued security concerns over lurking cross border criminal elements.
Sabah police commissioner Comm Datuk Jauteh Dikun said that the sea curfew will involve the east coast districts of Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.
He said the curfew from 6pm to 6am was being extended due to threats from cross-border criminals including kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) groups linked to the Abu Sayyaf.
It is also in place to ensure the safety of the maritime community, tourists and international researchers at the island in the east coast districts.
“Our intelligence sources are indicating that KFR and the Abu Sayyaf group were still attempting to enter the country’s waters and carry out kidnapping activities as well as other cross-border crimes,” he said in a statement.
He said the curfew in place since 2014 also helped security forces in ensuring the safety of Sabahans living on land in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
