KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaludin Abdul Rahman said they imposed a 14-day dusk-to-dawn curfew in six coastal areas and water borders along the east coast of Sabah as part of an effort to maintain security measures.
The six districts are Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak and Tawau, involving the sea about three nautical miles from the shores to the international borders with the Philippines.
Jalaludin said the length of the area is about 362 nautical miles and an area covering some 121,272 sq nautical miles or 194,035 kilometers, starting from Tanjung Pundaras, Sandakan right up to the jetty in Tawau.
“The curfew will be from 6pm to 6am, which involves coastal areas and water borders only, for a period of 14 days beginning July 19 and ending on August 2,” he told at a press conference at the state police headquarters in Kepayan here yesterday.
Also present was Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) commander (Security and Public Order Division director) Deputy Commissioner of Police Datuk Abd Rashid Harun.
According to Jalaluddin, under the Police Act 1967, the curfew is intended for a short-term measure, which is to address an immediate public order or security situation.
“That is why it is limited to 15 days only,” he said.
Jalaluddin added that during the curfew, only members of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), the Royal Malaysia Army (RMA), Royal Malaysia Navy (RMN) and the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) are permitted in these locations.
“The curfew is to curb kidnapping and terrorist activities along the East Sabah Safe Zone (ESSZone).
“Therefore, during the curfew, no sea activities are permitted and anyone caught violating this order will be arrested and charged under Section 31 (2) of the Police Act 1967, which carries a fine of RM500 or jail term of up to six months.
“If the security forces have identified or are faced with security threat, involving ‘hot pursuit’ with intruders, order of open fire or ‘shoot on sight’ will be implemented,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Jalaluddin said notices had been distributed to the public in those six areas, including resort operators, fish farm operators and fishermen to ensure they comply with the order.
For emergency where the public need to be out at sea during the curfew, they must apply for a permit from the police chief in their areas.
“Fishermen involved in deep sea fishing will be an exception provided they do not carry out their fishing activity within the areas under curfew,” he said.