Curfew order in ESSZone extended until July 6

KOTA KINABALU: The curfew order in the waters of seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), which ended yesterday, has been extended from today until July 6.
Sabah police commissioner, Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said the curfew order, from 7pm to 5am, involved the waters of Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran districts.
"With the enforcement of the curfew order, residents in these areas are required to be indoors during the time stated," he said in a statement, here, today.
Abdul Rashid said the curfew order was extended to ensure the waters in the ESSZone were not encroached upon by armed gunmen who could threaten the safety of international researchers and tourists visiting the resort islands in the area.
He said based on the information received, the group from southern Philippines which carried out kidnapping for ransom and the Abu Sayyaf militant group were still trying to sneak into the ESSZone waters to commit other cross-border crime.
Besides ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Sabah residents, he said the curfew order would also facilitate monitoring and enforcement over movements and give a safe feeling to chalet operators and fishermen through the presence of the security forces.
He said power had been delegated to the district police chiefs in the curfew areas to issue permits to those applying to carrying out fishing activities and in emergency situations. — Bernama