ESSzone curfew extended

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Jalaluddin and Rashid during the press conference yesterday.

LAHAD DATU: State Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman yesterday announced the extension of dusk-to-dawn curfew in the six districts in Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) from August 20 to Sept 2, but a change in time from 7 pm to 5 am instead of 6 pm to 6 am.

He told a press conference at the police headquarters here yesterday that the phase three curfew order would begin on August 20 (today) until September 2, from 7pm to 5am at the same areas that have been fixed during the first phase.

“The decision was made after considering all factors, including the latest security situation in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).

“After receiving information from ESSCom commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun, with the power given to me under Section 31(1) Police Act, I declare the extension of curfew with time change,” he said.

Present at press conference were Abdul Rashid and District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner of Police Hamzah Ahmad.

Jalaluddin said a letter had been sent to Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and he had agreed to extend the curfew order from August 20 to September 2, beginning at 7pm to 5am instead of 6pm to 6am which was implemented during the first and second phase.

He said his party was satisfied with the cooperation given by the public, especially in the areas involved and hoped the cooperation will continue for the benefit of all parties.

Jalauddin also urged the public, including fishermen, to comply with the curfew to avoid being arrested for violating the curfew order.

“During the implementation of the second phase curfew, 14 men aged between 25 and 40 were charged under Section 31(2) of Police Act for not complying with the curfew order. They were sentenced to 10 days’ imprisonment and fined RM500 each.

“Therefore, I hope the public will provide cooperation to the enforcement agency, including the police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and ESSCom to avoid any untoward incident,” he added.

Meanwhile, Abdul Rashid said the curfew order was to facilitate the security forces to implement enforcement and identify criminals.

He added that good cooperation from the public during the curfew was needed to ensure the security in our country is guaranteed, especially in Sabah.

The areas affected by the curfew order starts three nautical miles from the coastal areas along the east coast waters beginning from Sandakan through Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna until the Tawau jetty.

The first phase of the curfew order was declared by Jalaluddin on July 19 following the attack incident in Pulau Mabul, Semporna that claimed the life of a policeman and saw another police officer kidnapped on July 12.

It was later extended to the second phase which took effect on August 3 and ended yesterday by Abdul Rashid following the situation in the ESSZone.