Shafie says won’t protect those helping wrongdoers

0

SEMPORNA: The government will not compromise on safety and efforts to curb cross-border crimes and those abetting the wrongdoers will not get any protection, said Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Haji Abdal.

He warned the Semporna community not to get involved with elements that could bring harm to security.

“If any villagers or locals are abetting these elements, they cannot be protected, I will not be able to protect them, whether village heads or police personnel because this involves security,” he said at his Hari Raya open house here yesterday.

Meanwhile, Shafie, who is also the Semporna member of parliament, promised those making a living from the sea, especially fishermen that he will discuss with the relevant authorities so that they can carry out their activities during the curfew.

He said he would discuss with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and propose that fishermen be guarded during the curfew until they go back to their respective villages.

Shafie added he did not want to see fishermen’s livelihood affected by the curfew and would find ways to manage the situation.

Police have imposed a 12-hour dusk to dawn curfew at six east coast districts of Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak and Tawau until August 2.

The curfew area involved the sea about three nautical miles from shore until the international borders with the Philippines.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the curfew order would be extended to ensure the safety of residents and to prevent any possible intrusions.