Curfew in ESSZone extended until Feb 18

KOTA KINABALU: The curfew in the waters of seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), which ended at 6 pm today, has been extended until Feb 18, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din.
With the curfew extended, he advised those living in the affected areas to remain indoors and would not be allowed to enter the waters between 6pm to 6am during the period.
"Outsiders will not be allowed to enter or be in the curfew areas between 6 pm to 6 am during the period," he said in a statement here today.
The curfew covered the waters of Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.
He said the curfew was extended to keep out terrorists threatening the security of international researchers working in the area and tourists visiting the resort islands.
Ramli said based on information received, the Abu Sayyaf militant group and those involved in kidnapping for ransom from the southern Philippines were attempting to intrude to carry out the kidnapping and other cross-border crimes.
He said the curfew was aimed at facilitating the enforcement and monitoring of boat movements as well as creating an air of security and confidence for chalet operators as well as fishermen with the presence of security forces in their areas.
"I am also delegating powers to all district police chiefs to issue a permit for eligible applicants to carry out fishing or to attend to urgent matters during curfew," he said. — Bernama