34 charged with violating curfew – CP

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KOTA KINABALU: Thirty-four people have so far been charged in court with violating curfew orders along the East Sabah Safe Zone (ESSZon) since it started on July 19, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman.

“Since the curfew was implemented on July 19, 93 people have been arrested for various offences including under the Immigration Act.

“And from the total, 43 people, namely 23 fishermen were jailed for 10 days and fine RM500, while 11 others were jail for six days and fine RM500, under Section 31 (2) of the Police Act 1967 for violating curfew orders,” he told at a press conference at the state police headquarters in Kepayan here yesterday.

Jalaluddin said the biggest arrests were made in Semporna with 46, followed by Sandakan (39 arrests) and Lahad Datu (seven arrests).

“In addition to the arrests, security forces, comprising the Royal Malaysia Police, the Royal Malaysia Army and the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency, have seized 26 boats, including two pump boats,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jalaluddin said the curfew order had been extended for the fourth time beginning yesterday (September 20) until October 5.

He said the extension was made after taking into account numerous factors, including threat of intrusion and smuggling activities.

He said the security forces were still receiving information from neighbouring countries on the presence of intruders in our waters waiting for opportunity to carry out their criminal activities.

The first curfew extension was from August 3 until August 17, followed by the second phase extension on August 18 until September 2.

The third extension was implemented from September 4 until September 19.

The six coastal areas and water borders of ESSZone cover about 121,272 square miles or 194,035 kilometers from Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak and Tawau.