RANTAU PANJANG: The curfew imposed in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) has been extended as terrorist threats in the state remains.
Federal Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali said police needed to remain on guard even though kidnapping for ransom and robbery on high seas had not occurred for sometime.
"Looking at the current situation (in Sabah) and based on our studies from time to time, police agreed to extend the curfew in ESSZone," he said after a breaking of fast event with members of the General Operations Force (GOF) involved in Ops Wawasan, here last night.
The curfew in the waters off seven districts in the ESSZone scheduled to end today, has been extended until May 10.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah in a statement yesterday said the curfew, which is in place from 6pm to 6am , covers the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.
Residents in the affected areas are required to stay home, while outsiders may not enter or be in the areas within the curfew period.
Idris said the curfew was extended to ensure the affected areas would not be encroached by terrorists, hence threatening the safety of residents, international researchers and foreign tourists in the resorts.
He added information gathered has revealed that groups involved in kidnapping for ransom and the Abu Sayyaf group are still trying to infiltrate these waters to carry out kidnapping and other cross-border crimes.
Idris said the curfew order was also to facilitate enforcement and monitoring of boat movements, while security vessels would create a sense of security for the maritime community.