KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s ongoing dusk-to-dawn sea curfew which ended on Thursday has been extended for another 14 days to Aug 18.
The curfew, which was extended for the 216th time under Section 31(4) of the Police Act, was first implemented on July 16, 2014.
Residents in curfew zones are required to stay at home from 6pm to 6am while outsiders are not allowed to enter.
Sabah Police Commissioner Comm Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the curfew covers areas up to three nautical miles off the east coast districts of Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.
The extension of the curfew is necessary, he said, due to the existing threats from cross-border criminals including kidnap-for-ransom(KFR) groups.
He said the curfew is required to prevent intrusion by terrorists or criminals from the southern Philippines into Malaysian waters.It is also meant to oversee the safety of international researchers or foreign tourists visiting islands in Sabah, he added.
“According to intelligence sources, KFR groups as well as the Abu Sayyaf group are 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 yesterday.
The curfew was enforced following a spate of kidnappings.
Comm Jauteh said the curfew would enable 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.
“Besides that, it will enable us to enforce the law and monitor the movement of vessels as well as give a sense of security and confidence among chalet operators and fishermen through the presence of security vessels implementing this curfew,” he added.
He said he has also authoritised district police chiefs to issue permits to anyone who fulfils the requirements to conduct fishing activities or to ply through the water routes in the curfew areas.
