Sabah sea curfew extended until August 18th

KOTA KINABALU: The dusk-to-dawn sea curfew in Sabah, which was set to end on Thursday (Aug 3), has been extended for another 14 days until Aug 18.

This extension marks the 216th time the curfew has been prolonged under Section 31(4) of the Police Act of 1967, since its inception on July 16, 2014.

The curfew applies to residents in specified areas who are required to stay at home from 6pm to 6am, while outsiders are prohibited from entering the designated zones.

Sabah Police Commissioner Comm Datuk Jauteh Dikun specifically highlighted that the curfew covers areas up to three nautical miles off the coast of various districts, including Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, and Tawau.

According to Comm Jauteh, the extension of the curfew is necessary due to ongoing threats by cross-border criminals, particularly kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) groups. Additional reasons involve preventing terrorists or criminals from the southern Philippines from intruding into Malaysian waters, and ensuring the safety of international researchers and tourists visiting Sabah’s islands.

“Based on our intelligence sources, KFR groups and the Abu Sayyaf Group are still attempting to enter our waters and carry out kidnapping activities, as well as other cross-border crimes,” Comm Jauteh stated in a press release on Friday (Aug 4).

“The curfew will also allow security forces to safeguard the welfare of Sabahans and other individuals who travel by sea, as well as those residing on land in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).

“Additionally, it will enable us to enforce the law, monitor vessel movements, and provide a sense of security and confidence for chalet operators and fishermen through the presence of maritime security vessels implementing this curfew,” added Comm Jauteh.

The Commissioner also revealed that authority has been granted to the district police chiefs to issue permits to applicants who meet the necessary requirements for fishing activities or traveling through the curfew areas.

The implementation of the curfew followed a string of kidnappings, including the beheading of Sarawakian Bernard Then Ted Fen and the deaths of several others, including a policeman and tourists.