Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia has decided to extend the maritimecurfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone(ESSZone), according to Malaysia’s news agency Bernama.
Accordingly, the curfew will be extended to two more weeks, from October 2 toOctober 17, in an effort to prevent kidnapping for ransom.
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali, the curfew is enforced in thewaters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan andBeluran.
According to the officer, militant groups involved in kidnapping for ransom,including Abu Sayyaf, are still trying to infiltrate these waters to carry outkidnapping and cross-border crime.
“The curfew has been extended to ensure the waters would not be encroached by terrorists,which could threaten the security of international researchers conductingresearch, as well as tourists on the resort islands,” Bermana quoted HazaniGhazali as saying.
“Those living in the area are prohibited from approaching or being in thewaters off the seven districts between 6 pm and 6 am,” he said.
Other urgent cases need permits from police./.