Curfew extended to Oct 21

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KOTA KINABALU: The police have extended the curfew in Sabah’s east coast to October 21 to prevent criminal activities, including smuggling and kidnap-for-ransom.

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said the police had been receiving information about the east coast of Sabah that necessitated the curfew to prevent smuggling and kidnap-for-ransom.

Jalaluddin said he invoked his power to declare the curfew from October 6-7, followed an extension to October 21 with the powers vested with the Home Minister.

He said that at a press conference held during the Hari Raya Aidiladha banquet at the Sabah police headquarters (IPK) in Kepayan here yesterday.

Jalaluddin said he and police chiefs in the the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) visited tourist destinations and caged fish farms in the east coast of Sabah, including Mabul, Sipadan and Kapalai islands last week.

“They have requested the curfew to be implemented from time to time to ensure the security in Sabah waters.”

Jalaluddin added the curfew could also deter fuel, cigarettes and other contrabands from being smuggled from Malaysia to the Philippines and vice versa.

Besides that, Jalaluddin said the curfew evoked confidence among tourists of their own safety.

“The sea is calm at night and there are not many ships and boats that go near the tourist destinations.

“The curfew also enables the enforcement agencies to execute their tasks more effectively.”

On a related note, Jalaluddin assured that the security in Sabah was under control.

“The situation is under control, safe and sound, but we are always alert.”

He added that all the manpower, logistics support and enforcement agencies were on the ground.