Sea curfew in Sabah to continue two more weeks

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s dusk-to-dawn sea curfew has been extended for another two weeks until Dec 31.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said the extension of the 6pm-to-6am curfew was needed due to continuous threat from cross-border criminals, including kidnap-for-ransom groups.

The curfew covers areas up to three nautical miles off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

“There is a need to continue the curfew in these waters to prevent the encroachment of terrorists and criminals who can threaten the safety of locals, international researchers and tourists on islands, ” he said in a statement yesterday.

“According to intelligence sources, kidnap-for-ransom groups and Abu Sayyaf militants are still trying to attack and commit cross-border crime.

“We also want to ensure the safety of the people of Sabah who use the sea and are staying near the Esszone, ” he said. - Star