SEMPORNA: Though the dusk-to-dawn curfew has inconvenienced fishermen and fishing boats, security remains a priority and strict tough measures need to be taken, said
Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Haji Apdal.
He said the measures taken by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) to impose the curfew three nautical miles out to sea was on the right track.
Shafie who visited security personnel from the army, police, General Operation Force and maritime to hand over Hari Raya goodies to them, said the curfew which started on July 19, is facing opposition but safety should be a priority above all others.
“This (the curfew) is at an early stage, whatever the legal and regulatory placed is not easy for us to implement,” he said.
“We want to give 100 per cent confidence, trust and support and this is not easy. Initially, there are some problems that arise, but more importantly we need some decisiveness for safety,” he said.
Shafie, who is also Semporna member of parliament, added the government knew that fishermen depend on fishing, but cross-border criminal activities that threaten the people need to be addressed first.
He said that an appropriate mechanism can be a solution, and the government would continue to help the people to survive, especially fishermen so that they are not affected.
“I had discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry in order to find appropriate ways to promote cage fish farming, cultivating seaweed and others. I am confident ESSCom has the appropriate tools to take action and we need to work together to curb unhealthy activities,” he said.
Earlier, Shafie visited the security post at Mabul Island, Kapalai and Singgahmata Resort to deliver special Hari Raya contributions to security personnel on duty during the festive season.
Also present were ESSCom commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun and Sulabayan state assemblyman Datuk Jaujan Sambakong.
Last Saturday, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman declared a curfew order in the waters off eastern Sabah from Tanjung Pundaras, Sandakan to the jetty in Tawau.
The curfew was also enforced three nautical miles from the shores of Sandakan to Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna to Tawau jetty covering a distance of 362 nautical miles and over an area of 121,270 sq nautical miles.